Again, just like a handful of times in the past, I have recently experienced cold-like symptoms, including swollen lymph nodes and sniffles... followed by a strong urge to acquire a cat. Therefore, it has again become relevant for me to discuss toxoplasmosis, just as I have so many times in years past.
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite that reproduces in the stomach lining of the feline species. Its entire life's purpose is to be eaten by a cat so that it can reproduce. It accomplishes this end by mind controlling the animals that it infects (such as mice) to put themselves in situations where they are susceptible to being eaten by a cat. It is believed that 1/3 of the world's population is infected with toxoplasmosis, which can be picked up by unwashed vegetables, the handling of cat feces, and the consumption of raw animal products.
Upon the death of the host, toxoplasma gondii will travel from the brain of the host, into the most easily accessible exit point in the body, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. The cat may then eat the toxoplasma gondii parasite, and therefore the parasite will be able to reproduce. This is why cats begin to eat the faces (lips, nose, etc) of their deceased owners when their bodies are left undiscovered for days.
Toxoplasmosis Linked to Schizophrenia and Other Mental Illness
Toxoplasma gondii can alter neurotransmitter function and therefore the behavior and perception of the infected person.
Link between schizophrenia and toxoplasmosis: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/9/11/03-0143_article
Link between severe mood swings -- 'rage behavior' and toxoplasmosis: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/rage-disorder-linked-with-parasite-found-in-cat-feces/
Toxoplasmosis considered not only a possibility, but a prime cause for schizophrenia: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19825110
Although toxoplasmosis is "latent" in most of those infected, it is thought that even "latent" toxoplasmosis could still have severe effects on the mental state: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3488815/
Women Infected With Toxoplasmosis More Likely to Give Birth to Males
Women with the highest level of anti-bodies gave birth to 72 boys out of 100 children, while uninfected women gave birth to 51 boys out of 100 children. https://web.stanford.edu/class/humbio153/SuccessfulParasite/Analysis.html
Toxoplasmosis Symptoms Flare Up, Causing Cold-Like Symptoms and Desire to Aquire a Cat
The parasite is inactive for most of the time, but can become active again when immunity is compromised and results in cold-like symptoms including swollen lymph nodes, fever, etc.
http://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/toxoplasmosis/
http://www.your.md/condition/toxoplasmosis
The parasite comes out of inactivity and "wiggles around in the brain" which coincides with aforementioned symptoms, followed by the intense desire to acquire a pet cat.
Toxoplasmosis Linked to a Rise in "Unconventional Sexual Desires"
People infected with toxoplasma gondii found to be more attracted to bondage, sexual violence, and fetishes. Boy can I relate to this symptom!
Toxoplasmosis infection linked to increased sexual attraction to fear, danger and submissiveness.
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1474704916659746
Educational Videos About Toxoplasmosis
Read More:
http://www.sectual.com/thread-2634.html
While is true that toxoplasmosis represent a zoonotic danger to humans, in recent years the American medical association has debunked the myth of toxoplasma producing mental diseases.
Links? Preferably from some credible sources like https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/ or https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Check this link by the University of North Carolina http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0148435
Thanks!