Monsters Inside Me: Brain Invaders Season 1 Episode 2 Worms on the Brain

Monsters Inside Me: Brain Invaders is an intense and gripping medical documentary series that revolves around real-life cases of people who have been afflicted by some of the most unusual and dangerous parasites. In season 1, episode 2 titled "Worms on the Brain", viewers are taken through the harrowing journey of three individuals who were infected by parasites that attacked their central nervous system.

The first case featured in the episode is that of a young man named Austin who was enjoying a backpacking trip in Thailand when he suddenly started experiencing severe headaches and blurred vision. By the time he reached the hospital, he was unable to walk or talk coherently. Despite a CAT scan showing lesions in his brain, doctors couldn't figure out what was causing his symptoms until they found evidence of the Gnathostomiasis parasite. This rare roundworm enters the human body when an infected person eats undercooked fish or raw eel, and then travels through the bloodstream and eventually makes its way to the CNS. Austin's battle to regain his health involved several surgeries and months of rehabilitation.

The second story takes us to a small town in rural Mississippi where a woman named Tammy was suddenly struck by a bout of violent seizures. As she lay in the hospital, doctors discovered a huge mass in her brain that turned out to be a tapeworm, Taenia solium. The tapeworm infection had also spread to other parts of her body, including her lungs, and had caused a condition known as neurocysticercosis. Tammy's story highlights the dangers of eating undercooked pork, as this is the main cause of tapeworm infections in humans.

The third and final case featured in "Worms on the Brain" is that of a teenage boy named Bobby who had always been an active and healthy child until he began experiencing seizures and memory loss. After multiple tests, doctors eventually found evidence of a parasitic infection called Baylisascaris, also known as the raccoon roundworm. This worm usually infects wild animals like raccoons, but can also be transmitted to humans who come into contact with infected feces. Bobby's diagnosis came as a shock to his family who lived in a suburban area and had never imagined that their son could become infected with such an unusual parasite.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given detailed explanations of how these parasites infect the human body, their symptoms, and the treatments involved. The show also sheds light on how doctors and medical professionals work tirelessly to identify and treat these rare and deadly infections.

Overall, Monsters Inside Me: Brain Invaders season 1 episode 2 "Worms on the Brain" is a gripping and informative episode that provides insight into the little-known world of parasitic infections that affect the brain and CNS. The real-life stories of these infected individuals are heart-wrenching and serve as a reminder of the importance of proper hygiene, safe food handling practices, and awareness of the potential dangers of interacting with wild animals.