Your brain has a virus and you don't even know it

Here's what people need to understand— I'm sitting here at Busboys and Poets, trying to get my head right for the morning, sipping my coffee, and I see this headline. My coffee almost went straight through the roof. A *brain-eating virus* that most of us are already infected with? What in the world is going on, betam? This isn't some science fiction movie from the 80s, this is real life. They thought it was only people with messed-up immune systems, but nah, it's just… us.

### My Mind Is Blown

For real, the science behind this is wild. Apparently, it's called *Toxoplasma gondii*, and it's been chilling in our brains, like, forever. Researchers used to think it was only a big deal for folks with really compromised immune systems, but new studies are showing that this parasite is way more common and widespread than anyone imagined. It's not *always* fatal, but the fact that it's just… there? In our brains? Silent? Ishi, my nerves.

* This parasite, *Toxoplasma gondii*, is surprisingly common.

* It was previously thought to only affect those with severely weakened immune systems.

* New research suggests it's widespread and impacts people with healthy immune systems, too.

* It can cause a fatal brain infection.

You know, in this city, we're always worried about what kind of germs we're picking up on the Metro, or what's in the water after a big storm, or if that half-smoke from the street vendor is *really* cooked through. But a brain-eating virus that's already *in* us? That's a whole new level of "what the bama?" It's like finding out the cherry blossoms are actually sentient and judging our life choices. That's the District, DMV — no vote, all heart, and apparently, a whole lot of unexpected roommates in our grey matter.

Selam Tesfaye-Williams, out.

Keith and the crew definitely went deep on this — catch it live at mornings.live.