60 Million Americans May Have Cat Parasite Linked To Mental Illness, Schizophrenia
New research shows that fluffy, cuddly kittens may be infecting millions of Americans with a nasty parasite scientists are starting to link to mental illness.
The parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), is the most common parasite in developed nations. Carried by cats, the parasite can infect any warm-blooded animals, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimating more than 60 million people in the U.S. alone may be infected.
While most people would never show any symptoms of having it, those with weaker immune systems have long been known to get an illness called toxoplasmosis, which can result in fetal development disorders, miscarriages, blindness, flu-like illness, and in extreme cases death.
While it has also been somewhat associated with mental disorders, namely s...