The Last of Us: Could it happen? Infectious disease doctor explains cordyceps. #thelastofus

HBO's "The Last of Us" shows a world devastated by a fungal pandemic. But could that really happen? Dr. George Thompson, professor of infectious diseases at UC Davis School of Medicine, explains fungal infections, cordyceps and the science behind the hit show.

Show images provided by Warner Media/HBO.

#thelastofus #cordyceps #shorts

[righteouskey]

Key word "don't think so "

[LawAbidingCitizen]

It may be impossible in nature, but in the hands of some military scientists it could be a different story.

[prussianeagle]

In the first episode of The Last of Us, the scientist explains that the fungi evolve to meet their environments challenges. Whilst cordyceps may currently not be able to infect mammals (aka organisms with body heat at or exceeding 94 F), all it takes is for the earth to become warmer, and the fungi evolve to meet the living standards if said environment. It's truely terrifying.

[Aznisthesame]

When he says “I don’t think it..”
me: you mean you don’t know for certain

[cholosoy]

That’s what the other doctor said on the show, and look what happens 😮

[Daniscoll]

when the tier 1 weapon has better passive than a tier 5

[nivkys]

If the world got hotter it could potentially happen

[lawrencejohnson]

Wouldn't the human immune system attack foreign bodies like this? I wonder how they get around this in the TV show?

[Megamind]

He told us no, but in his mind he’s saying yes one day it will

[kevinbaboolal]

Not a risk for us

THAT ONE GUY GROWING CORDYCEPS FROM HIS OWN BLOOD

[ethangabriellesuba]

Although cordyceps does not infect humans, it does infect a wide range of insects. Scene from "The Last of Us." In ants, cordyceps slowly infects its victims by mind-controlling the host to migrate to a humid climate where the conditions are perfect for its growth.Feb 5, 2023

[Kilo]

Ironically he basically repeated the exact same rebuttal from the other doctor/scientist at the beginning of episode 1: "Fungal infections of this kind are real, but not in humans" not saying it makes it possible but they pointed out the same thing in the show

[felixbenitez]

Also even if a Fungus "Evolved" it would not causes a Outbreak. We not see a Fungus causing a Outbreak through Insects like Ants Colony.

[Velaquino_]

What happens when the earth got slightly warmer then?

[_Farhan.]

Well you know every doc say this before zombie outbreak in movies and series ☠

[chandler]

Remember nothing in this world is impossible

[ripinefable]

It’s 100 percent possible probably not in our life time but things like climate change will accelerate it’s mutation

[fsgidroiidzz]

The world is getting warmer and fugues. Ever does

[inklink]

The doctor: It's fun to read through the symptoms

The ant:

[ZLink]

Plot twist it evolved to infect more superior beings