I’ve been watching the drama collection The Last of Us on HBO, and so they discuss this Cordyceps fungus that may infect people and management their minds. Does this Cordyceps fungus really exist?
In The Last of Us, which is predicated on the eponymous online game, a Cordyceps fungus variant allegedly assaults people and hijacks the thoughts, controlling a individual till they’re utterly devoured from inside.
This idea was really impressed by a real-life David Attenborough documentary of a fungus taking on ants and controlling them.
The real-life fungus in query is Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, often known as zombie ant fungus.
Don’t fear although, it’s only identified to contaminate ants.
Once contaminated, the ants behave very in a different way and turn into like “zombie ants”.
They behave utterly for the profit of the fungus’ development and transmission.
The ants will connect themselves to leaves and lock their jaws, resulting in their dying finally.
The fungus then sprouts tendrils and releases extra spores to start its lifecycle once more.
So sure, one thing like the Cordyceps fungus really does exist.
But can fungi have an effect on people?
They are already infecting people.
A fungal infection is often known as mycosis.
The commonest fungal infections in the world have an effect on our pores and skin, nails and lungs.
Fungi reproduce by releasing spores that may be inhaled or transmitted through direct contact.
Some frequent fungal infections that have an effect on our pores and skin and nails are athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, yeast infection and fungal infection of the nail, often known as onychomycosis.
Most fungi aren’t dangerous.
Of the greater than 150,000 identified species, solely about 200 can infect people.
Nevertheless, greater than 150 million extreme fungal infections happen globally yearly, and outcome in about 1.7 million deaths.
Most fungi favor cooler temperatures – round 10°C.
Before you panic, this implies they like it in case your physique temperature is round 10°C, however our physique temperature is often round 37°C, regardless of the skin temperature.
This is why most fungal infections in people have a tendency to focus on our pores and skin, the place it’s cooler.
Ringworm is a frequent fungal infection that does not contain worms in any respect. — SZETOO WEIWEN
Fungal pores and skin infections are usually not harmful, proper?
You are proper, most fungal infections are usually not harmful.
For instance, a frequent fungal infection is athlete’s foot, often known as tinea pedis.
It is attributable to dermatophytes – a group of fungi that thrive in heat and humid areas, particularly between your toes.
That is why it’s referred to as athlete’s foot, as a result of you will get it from damp locker rooms and bathe flooring.
It impacts the pores and skin in your toes, and likewise your palms and nails.
Meanwhile, jock itch is named tinea cruris, and impacts your groin space, inside thighs and buttocks.
It can be attributable to dermatophytes.
It principally impacts males and boys, which is why it is named “jock” itch; however it may possibly additionally have an effect on ladies.
This one causes redness, swelling and itching in the affected pores and skin space.
There could also be a rash, resulting in flaking or cracking pores and skin.
It will get worse once you train.
Dermatophytes additionally trigger ringworm, which varieties crimson rings in your pores and skin and scalp.
The phrase “worm” is deceptive as no precise worms are concerned in the infection.
Yeast, similar to Candida albicans, like to contaminate your pores and skin, mouth, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract and genitals.
When it impacts your mouth, it’s referred to as oral thrush, that are white patches in your mouth and throat.
In ladies, vaginal yeast infections could cause ache, itchiness, discharge and redness round your groin space.
Because all these fungal infections may be simply handled through antifungal lotions and ointments, and even antifungal tablets, they aren’t life-threatening.
What are harmful fungal infections?
The fungal infections which might be harmful don’t usually trigger infections in wholesome human beings.
But they’re harmful to folks with weakened immune techniques, e.g. if in case you have AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) or most cancers, or are on immunosuppressive medicine (for organ transplants).
These are referred to as opportunistic infections, as a result of they take the “opportunity” to contaminate you when your physique’s defences are down.
But as soon as they infect you, they are often very devastating.
The World Health Organization (WHO) not too long ago listed a group of fungal pathogens in the “dangerous to humans” record.
These embrace 4 fungi pathogens: Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, C. albicans and Candida auris.
What does Cryptococcus neoformans trigger?
In individuals who have weakened immune techniques, C. neoformans can infect their lungs, mind and spinal twine, in addition to different elements of the physique.
This sort of infection is known as cryptococcosis.
In your lungs, it may possibly trigger a pneumonia sort of infection that provides you a cough, shortness of breath, chest ache and fever.
In your mind, it may give you cryptococcal meningitis and trigger complications, fever and neck ache – that are the hallmarks of meningitis.
It often spreads out of your lungs to the mind.
See Tell Me About subsequent fortnight for a way local weather change can have an effect on harmful fungal infections.
Dr YLM graduated as a medical physician, and has been writing for a few years on varied topics similar to medication, well being, computer systems and leisure. For additional info, e-mail [email protected]. The info offered is for academic and communication functions solely, and it shouldn’t be construed as private medical recommendation. Neither The Star nor the creator provides any guarantee on accuracy, completeness, performance, usefulness or different assurances as to such info. The Star and the creator disclaim all duty for any losses, harm to property or private damage suffered straight or not directly from reliance on such info.
