In August 1917, Franz Kafka suffered a nocturnal blood fall, there was a pulmonary tuberculosis detected, a disease that was at that time not curable. The symptoms improved initially again, but in the autumn of 1918 he contracted the Spanish flu , which drew several weeks of pneumonia after themselves . After that Kafka's health (including deteriorated from year to year , despite numerous long spa stays in Schelesen (Bohemia ) , Tatranské Matliare (Slovakia ) , Riva del Garda Sanatorium Dr. of Hartungen , Ultimo Valley (South Tyrol ) . During his stay in Berlin 1923/24, attacked the tuberculosis also to the larynx above , Kafka gradually lost his ability to speak and could take only still in pain nutrition and hydration . During a stay in a sanatorium Wienerwald in April 1924 by Dr. Hugo Kraus, a family friend and director of the sanatorium , definitely diagnosed laryngeal tuberculosis. due to the progressive exhaustion of the symptoms could only be alleviated. A surgical intervention was not possible because of poor health . Franz Kafka went away and died on June 3, 1924 in the sanatorium Kierling in Klosterneuburg. As the official cause of death was heart failure detected.