Is The Last of Us possible?

"A fungal pandemic is definitely possible," Norman Van Rhijn, a mycologist researching fungal infections at the University of Manchester, told Insider in an email. No species of fungus currently known to science poses an immediate pandemic threat for humans — especially not the way the show portrays it.

Could The Last of Us really happen?

“It's far-fetched,” says Tom Chiller, chief of the Mycotic Diseases Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “That's just not going to happen.” But even if microbes don't hijack our body and sprout from our head, newly infectious and drug-resistant fungi are an emerging threat to human health.

Can humans be infected by Cordyceps?

Can Cordyceps fungus take over your body? There are no known cases of Cordyceps fungus infecting humans so far. The fungus does not typically infect or harm humans and cannot take over the human body.

What fungus is in The Last of Us?

In the show, it's not a virus that turns people into zombies but a kind of fungus called cordyceps. The fungus takes over the minds and bodies of humans and makes them want to spread the fungus to the uninfected. The zombie-causing fungus in the show is mostly fictitious — at least, as a human pathogen.

Can fungi infect humans?

Anyone can get a fungal infection, even people who are otherwise healthy. People breathe in or come in contact with fungal spores every day without getting sick. However, in people with weakened immune systems, these fungi are more likely to cause an infection.

Could The Last Of Us Happen IRL? Surgeon Reacts To Cordyceps Infection

What do zombie ants do?

The fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani can infect ants and manipulate their behaviour in a way that is beneficial for fungus growth and transmission. These infected ants are also called zombie ants. Influenced by the fungus, the ants climb to a high point and bite into a branch, attaching themselves until death.

Are humans closest to fungi?

We are also likely to call a mushroom a plant, whereas genetic comparisons place fungi closer to man than to plants. In other words, the DNA in fungi more closely resembles the DNA of the inhabitants of the animal kingdom. We are nearly 100% alike as humans and equally closely related to mushrooms.

Why is Ellie immune?

The infection caused Ellie as a fetus to be exposed to the cordyceps and this is the cause of her immunity.

What happens if you breathe in spores TLOU?

If you get hit by the spores, or inhale them enough Joel dies.

Are the infected still alive TLOU?

Yes, they bite. But they're not reanimated after dying. Instead, they're living people who have been taken over by a fungus called Cordyceps — their whole thing is multiplying and spreading the infection as far and wide as possible.

What happens if you eat cordyceps?

Cordyceps mushrooms are generally thought to be safe to eat/consume. Possible negative side effects can include upset stomach, nausea and loose stools. Also, people with certain medical conditions should not consume Cordyceps mushrooms or supplements because they may activate the immune system.

Can cordyceps be cured?

“No Preventatives, No Cure”

The Last of Us makes much of the idea that because cordyceps is a fungus, it can't be treated with medicine. That's not true: Antifungals abound to treat common fungal conditions like athlete's foot, yeast infections, ringworm, and dandruff.

Is Cordyceps brain infection real?

The Last of Us is reportedly based on the cordyceps fungus (specifically Ophiocordyceps unilateralis), which is a so-called “zombie fungus” that infects ants. But while the fungus is a real thing, experts say it can't infect humans.

Will there be a 3rd last of us?

The Last of Us Part 3 arrives in 2026 on PlayStation 5, in time for a 1-2 season adaptation for HBO starting in 2026 as well.

Is Joel from The Last of Us a real person?

Joel Miller is a fictional character in the video game series The Last of Us by Naughty Dog. In the games, he is portrayed by Troy Baker through motion capture and voice acting; in the television adaptation, he is portrayed by Pedro Pascal.

Is it possible to miss a weapon in The Last of Us?

While most Weapons are automatic rewards, a few of them can be collected in the game world. If you miss them, they keep respawning in more locations until you eventually get them automatically from story progress.

Can bloaters see you?

Yes bloaters are blind, the infection takes over the body so the different enemies in the game you can see the different levels of infection, there is a video about where you can see how it affects the brain and body.

Can Ellie infect others?

Though Ellie does bite David while trying to escape from him in The Last of Us Part I, he dies before we can see if he becomes infected. It isn't until years later that Ellie is able to figure out that she isn't contagious.

What is the strongest infection in Last of Us?

Rat King. Arguably the scariest and most dangerous type of infected, Rat Kings are a combination of Stalkers, Clickers, and Bloaters. Rat Kings reportedly take 25 years to develop and are the strongest type.

Is There A Cure For The Last of Us?

There is no cure nor a vaccine and what's left of humanity is restricted to authoritarian quarantine zones (QZs).

Why is Ellie wearing a gas mask?

In The Last Of Us Part II

Much like in the first game, the gas masks provide protection to the players from spores, especially in infected areas like Lakehill Seattle Hospital. However, Ellie does not actually need to wear a gas mask but did so because the fact she is immune was a secret.

Why does Ellie have a cut in her eyebrow?

Ellie develops scars from bite marks and acid burns. As a result, her ex Kat gives her a tattoo to cover them up. The tattoo covers the scars so well that nobody knows she has them.

Do humans share DNA with monkeys?

Humans, chimpanzees and monkeys share DNA but not gene regulatory mechanisms. Humans share over 90% of their DNA with their primate cousins. The expression or activity patterns of genes differ across species in ways that help explain each species' distinct biology and behavior.

Does banana have human DNA?

Since the human genome was first sequenced in 2003, the field of comparative genomics has revealed that we share common DNA with many other living organisms — yes, including our favorite yellow peeled fruit.

Are humans 50% fungi?

Stamets explains that humans share nearly 50 percent of their DNA with fungi, and we contract many of the same viruses as fungi.