ScienceAlert: Bad news for cat lovers

[Disco Scratch]

Are you a cat lover? Have you been around cats at all or most of your life like me? If so you could be one of the millions infected because 1 out of every 2 humans are infected. Up to 50 percent of global population is infected by the 'cat parasite' Toxoplasma gondii, and in some areas, the infection rate is as high as 95 percent. Unless you get tested, there’s no way of knowing that you’re infected, but it’s been associated with a number of mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Read the article HERE to learn more.

[iron_jones]

Good thing I only like pussaaayyyyyyy

[Dr. Na'vi]

Originally Posted by Eternal Enigma

[COLOR=deepskyblue]Have you been around cats at all or most of your life like me?

for almost 17 years now
I haven't noticed any mental disorders so far
The infection is "asymptomatic in most healthy people" anyway, so it is still very likely I'm among the 50% infected.

Interesting article!

[Disco Scratch]

Originally Posted by iron_jones

Good thing I only like pussaaayyyyyyy

Well, you can get horrible diseases from that type of cat too. That's not the only concern. If you aren't careful a baby will come out and grab you. lol

Originally Posted by Dr. Na'vi

for almost 17 years now
I haven't noticed any mental disorders so far
The infection is "asymptomatic in most healthy people" anyway, so it is still very likely I'm among the 50% infected.

Interesting article!

I've been around cats all of my 33 years of existing so I probably have it for sure. I thought I'd share it since many members here are quite fond of cats so I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully you and others find it useful.

Symptoms

If you're healthy, you probably won't know you've contracted toxoplasmosis. Some people, however, develop signs and symptoms similar to those of the flu, including:

Body aches
Swollen lymph nodes
Headache
Fever
Fatigue

In people with weakened immune systems

If you have HIV/AIDS, are receiving chemotherapy or have recently had an organ transplant, a previous toxoplasma infection may reactivate. In that case, you're more likely to develop signs and symptoms of severe infection, including:

Headache
Confusion
Poor coordination
Seizures
Lung problems that may resemble tuberculosis or Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, a common opportunistic infection that occurs in people with AIDS
Blurred vision caused by severe inflammation of your retina (ocular toxoplasmosis)

[moonbeam]

I hope I don't have it. I love my cat.

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

i love cats, love my cat, ignorance is bliss, and i'm happy with that. lolz. i got some tender vittles for my kitty.


my cat, Babs, is getting a new home very soon. she'll be happy. me too.

[allroock123]

In trying to debunk the article as to human risk in contacting it,, I found this


Toxoplasmosis: Myth vs Reality

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

nice article, Allrock, thanks for the link, love the picture of the girl and her cat.



yay for kitties and the whole cat family.

[MGCJerry]

I just love when science sends myths to the streets and double-taps them in the chest and leaves them to rot for all to see.

[Ja'k Dawsiin]

i still love cats, no matter what pseudo-science says.