Ep 9. Homegrown Enemies

In Monsters Inside Me season 2 episode 9, titled "Homegrown Enemies," viewers are taken on a chilling journey into the world of parasites and the deadly diseases they bring with them. The episode starts with the case of Mirna, a young woman who develops a severe headache, fever, and fatigue after returning from a trip to El Salvador. Despite being treated with antibiotics for a potential infection, Mirna's condition continues to worsen until doctors discover she is suffering from a rare parasitic infection that has caused cysts to form in her brain.

Next, the episode follows the story of a young boy named Jake, who was bitten by a tick while playing outside his home in Illinois. Within days, Jake begins to suffer from flu-like symptoms that rapidly progress to seizures and paralysis. Doctors suspect a tick-borne illness, but when they test for Lyme disease, the results come back negative. It isn't until Jake's condition deteriorates further that doctors discover he has contracted a rare disease called Powassan virus, which is spread by certain species of ticks.

The episode then moves on to Karen, a woman who begins to experience strange symptoms like fatigue and muscle weakness after eating a meal of raw fish. Initially, doctors suspect she has contracted a bacterial infection from the fish, but her condition continues to worsen until she is diagnosed with a rare parasitic infection called Anisakiasis, which is caused by a type of worm that can be found in raw or undercooked seafood.

Finally, the episode tells the story of John, a man who develops a painful rash on his leg after being bitten by a spider while gardening. Despite initially dismissing the bite as a harmless spider or insect bite, John's condition quickly deteriorates until he is rushed to the hospital with a fever, chills, and extreme pain. It isn't until doctors examine the bite and find evidence of a dangerous bacteria that they realize John has been infected with Necrotizing Fasciitis, a rare but deadly bacterial infection that can rapidly spread throughout the body.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into the horrifying world of parasites and the deadly diseases they can cause. From worms found in raw fish to ticks carrying rare viruses, the potential dangers are all around us. But while the stories told in "Homegrown Enemies" may be terrifying, they also serve as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and seeking medical attention when we experience any unusual symptoms or signs of infection.