Why The Last of Us Bite Infection Doesn’t Make Sense

infection in The last of yous are produced in much the same way as pathogens in other apocalyptic stories. The infected tend to become aggressive and bite healthy people, passing on the fungus, which little by little takes over their bodies. The difference is that often in other areas of this type, the causative agent of the disease is a virus. In fact, it’s usually some type of virus mutation. Rage. And this, in fact, has its own explanation.

mushrooms like cordyceps what appears in the series are transmitted by disputes. In real life, this usually infects the ants, causing them to climb tree topwhere the fungus finally leaves your body and releases the spores more efficiently. It has nothing to do with what we consider contagion in Last of us.

Neither ants nor other arthropods that may be affected become aggressive. And they also do not bite their victims, therefore the infection is different. This is not objectionable. At the end, Last of us this is a fictional story. However, there are other pathogens in real life that may be parts of the fictional video game and TV series fungus. From the rabies virus to protozoa that cause toxoplasmosis.

infections in Last of us more like rage

Infection in Last of us This happens when infected people bite healthy people. Therefore, initially it could be said that this is happening through saliva. However, in the second chapter of the series, it is observed, both in the corpse of the zero patient and in the infected, that kiss Tess, that some kind of roots or antennae are born from her mouth.

These will be the masses of hyphae known as rhizomorphswhich many mushrooms use to explore and expand. Therefore, not through saliva, but through this kind of roots.

However, we have already seen that cordyceps the most common is that it is transmitted by spores released from the corpses of its victims. If this transmitted through bites rabies virus. In fact, this pathogen has several features that make it cannon fodder for stories about a pandemic apocalypse.

This is because, as is often the case in these stories, the virus affects the behavior of those infected on many levels, facilitating its spread through bites. On the one hand, this makes them more violent. There is more to see what happens with rabid dogs. And, on the other hand, it causes them great aversion to water. This is because the greater the concentration of the virus in saliva, the more easily it spreads through bites. If the infected person drinks water, saliva diluted and that’s what the rabies virus doesn’t do It is suitable. Therefore, the behavior is also modified in this regard.

It should be remembered that viruses do not have consciousness and do not do it on purpose. Just evolutionarily based on mutationsthey have reached points that are very beneficial to them.

Infected, manipulated and cruel

Apparently, the infection Last of us occurs when infected attack violently. However, the writers of the series admitted in the kiss scene of Tess that this is so, because in fact the victims are resisting. If they keep quiet and wait for infection, as she does, they can peacefully transfer their gifs to her.

Leaving this aside, it is clear that cordyceps manipulates them to bring them to a place where it can spread. Part of this happens with fungus in real life. as soon as it releases certain substances in the ants’ bodies that affect their brains and cause behavioral changes, such as the need to climb the highest treetops.

German Delgado

The case of Toxoplasma gondii

Another pathogen that does this in an even more impressive way is toxoplasma gondii. The life cycle of this protozoan, known for causing toxoplasmosis, has two parts.

In the first stage, it can breed in any of the animals known as “warm-blooded“. For example, this includes mammals and birds. However, the second must occur in cats. That’s why he manipulates the first to bring him to the second.

In this first stage, it proliferates within some cysts, located mainly in the muscles and brain of the host. Therefore, if a cat eats them, it will go directly into her body. It does toxoplasma gondii He has also developed the ability to manipulate his victims into taking him where he needs to go. For example, infected mice have been shown to exhibit attractive and fearless with the urine of cats, and chimpanzees with the urine of leopards.

Thus, when a cat eats another animal, the protozoan enters directly into the intestines, where it completes its life cycle. In addition, from there he goes out with his stool, with which new infections can occur. For example, a person can become infected. when dealing with the feces of their cats or eating poorly washed vegetables.

It also affects people

Usually, toxoplasma gondii It does not cause serious consequences in humans. This is usually only dangerous for immunocompromised people and fetusHence, pregnant women must be very careful not to get infected.

However, there have been cases of infection of people who showed greater impulsiveness. After all, protozoa do the same with mice and chimpanzees. Cancels the feeling of fear and makes them more impulsive. It has even been associated with cases of schizophrenia, although this requires further study.

What is clear is that both the rabies virus and the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii actually cause something similar to rabies virus infection. Last of us. Luckily, they didn’t team up to trigger the apocalypse. That would also be very scary.