Here’s a frightening thought: your housecat is host to a parasite that can infect you, and in so doing affect your brain function, making you more impulsive, promiscuous, less attentive, less intelligent, and possibly suicidal. Sounds like something straight out of science fiction, but unfortunately this parasite is so pervasive that liberal estimates say that over 8 million Australians could be infected, along with upwards of 60 million Americans. Worldwide estimates of infection range into the billions.

The disease is called Toxoplasma, and it starts in rats, goes to cats, and ends up inside your freaking brain, in what seems like a very demented spin on the circle of life. When a rat is infected with Toxoplasmosis it loses all aversion to the scent of cat urine, and in fact, becomes sexually aroused by the smell. It then seeks out areas filled with cat odors, and is predictably and promptly eaten by an unsuspecting feline.

Los gatos son infectados de manera similar aunque su comportamiento permanece en gran parte sin cambios, una lista completa de síntomas de lavado ha sido asociada con la enfermedad, incluyendo:

• Laziness
• Sadness
• Alta temperatura
• Sudden reduction in weight
• Trouble breathing
• Reduced coordination
• convulsiones
• Weakness
• Paralysis
• Nausea
• Loose bowels
• Reduced appetite
• Y la inflamación


• However, the really scary part is how often the disease goes unnoticed because of a lack of these symptoms.
  
  Humans can catch the disease by being in close contact with cat feces which is where the ocysts, that is to say the toxoplasmosis progeny, are released after reproduction occurs inside the feline’s intestinal tract. It’s also common to catch the disease when in contact with undercooked foods, and is much more prevalent in countries with a tradition of eating such fare, like Brazil for example, which is estimated to have 67% of its total population infected with the parasite.
  
  So I know this is supposed to be a pet blog, and we’re mainly concerned with pet issues here, but are you ready to hear some really scary facts about this parasite’s effects on human behavior?
  
  La toxoplasmosis afecta el centro del miedo del cerebro humano, causando un desdén por la autoridad, menos adherencia a las costumbres y costumbres sociales, un mayor riesgo de esquizofrenia, un mayor riesgo de morir en un accidente de motocicleta, mayores tasas de suicidio entre los infectados, La promiscuidad entre las mujeres y las frecuencias más altas de neuroticismo en ambos sexos. Irónicamente, también es más probable que seas bueno en el fútbol.
  
  This psychotic protozoan is a major health concern for all of the above reasons, and is an excellent reminder to wash your hands after changing your cat litter and always before eating. Diagnosis for the disease is very difficult and not often undergone. It includes measuring t cell count in the blood stream as well as tracking the number of liver enzymes.
  
  El tratamiento tampoco es siempre recomendable ya que la enfermedad sólo es grave en pacientes con sistemas inmunes débiles. Esto es verdad para los seres humanos y los gatos por igual. Cuando se trata, hay una larga lista de medicamentos utilizados para hacerlo, pero hay más disponible en el camino de la prevención que el tratamiento real.
  
  Así que hay tu dosis diaria de horror microscópico. Sólo recuerde, usted no está siempre en control de sus acciones. A veces la naturaleza planta un monstruo monstruoso de cuerpo que te da miedo en tu cerebro para ayudarte a tomar decisiones estúpidas.