You're likely already infected with a brain-eating virus you've never heard of
Briefly

You're likely already infected with a brain-eating virus you've never heard of
"The JC virus, commonly known as the John Cunningham virus, is estimated to infect up to 90 percent of people, often remaining silent throughout life."
"For the majority, the JC virus infection is asymptomatic, but in some cases, it can activate and lead to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a devastating brain disease."
"PML is characterized by the invasion of the brain by the PML-type JC virus, leading to demyelination and significant nerve cell dysfunction and death."
"Diagnosis of PML involves imaging that reveals characteristic brain lesions and the presence of JC virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid."
The JC virus, or John Cunningham virus, infects 50-90% of adults, often asymptomatically. It typically resides in the tonsils or gastrointestinal tract. While most remain unaffected, a small percentage may experience activation, leading to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML results in severe brain damage, characterized by demyelination and nerve cell death. Diagnosis involves identifying lesions in the brain and detecting JC virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid. Symptoms of PML can resemble various neurological disorders, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
#jc-virus #pml #brain-disease #viral-infection #neurology
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