Your brain already has a secret invader and oh for sure it's terrifying
Alright, Regina, settle in for a minute because I just read something that made me spill my coffee, eh? You think you know what’s going on inside your own head, living your best life, maybe thinking about whether the Riders are gonna pull it together this season. Well, apparently, there’s a brain-eating virus you’ve never heard of, and guess what? You’ve probably already got it. Yeah, you heard me right.
### The Uninvited Guest in Your Grey Matter
Turns out, scientists used to think this fatal brain infection only happened to folks with really compromised immune systems. Like, profoundly so. But new research is saying, "Nope, not anymore." It's called JC polyomavirus, and it causes something called Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, or PML. Sounds pretty, doesn't it? It’s not. It basically destroys the white matter in your brain, which is, you know, kinda important for doing pretty much everything. And get this: most of us are exposed to it by adulthood. They're saying it's like a silent passenger, just waiting for the right moment.
* This virus, JC polyomavirus, is surprisingly common. * It can cause a deadly brain infection called PML. * Previously thought to only affect severely immunocompromised individuals. * New findings suggest it can activate even with less severe immune suppression. * It's a "brain-eating" virus because it destroys brain tissue.
Honestly, it makes you wonder what else is just chilling in there, eh? We’re so worried about what’s blowing in off the prairies, making sure our furnaces are working, keeping the potholes from swallowing our cars on Albert Street, and meanwhile, there's this little guy just having a grand old time in your cranium. It’s enough to make you wanna put on a Rider game and just try to forget about it. This is Regina — yeah, we know what it sounds like, and we've heard your joke. Now sit down and listen. But seriously, it does make you appreciate a good, clear-headed walk around Wascana Lake, eh? Just don’t think about the silent passengers.
Darlene Chicken-Lawson, MiTL Sports Desk, Regina.
Oh, for sure, the Morning Wire crew talks about stuff like this. Catch them live every morning at mornings.live.