“Why, pray tell, should I worry about rat lungworm? I am not a rat.”
“That’s debatable. Anyhow, the name is misleading, it can infect humans too.”
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the technical term and whilst it’s far from a common source of infection in humans, an encounter with it can be absolutely devastating.
One of the most tragic medical tales I can recall is the story of teenage Aussie rugby player, Sam Ballard. He was just a 19 year old carefree kid, drinking beers at a party with his mates, when accepted a dare that would eventually end his life. His mates dared him to eat a humble garden slug that had slid up onto the table where they were sitting. Just for a laugh.
I can still recall the feeling- being 19 years of age with a few beers under the belt and feeling 10ft tall and bulletproof- a crew of mates egging you on- it would have seemed like nothing. Have you seen some of the things Bear Grylls has eaten on Man vs. Wild?
As it so happened, this particular garden slug was harbouring a rat lungworm infection. A few days after the incident, Sam began to feel pretty average. Within a week he had lapsed into a coma that would last over a year. When he emerged, he was quadriplegic and had trouble communicating. He required heavy, round the clock nursing care until his eventual death a decade later.
I don’t know why I find this particular story so tragic. Wasted potential and the folly of youth always brings that feeling. I suppose I can relate- I did plenty of stupid things just to get a laugh out of my mates when I was the same age. I guess the moral of the story here is “Don’t eat slugs.”
Sam, I hope you’re at peace now, looking down from somewhere magical- having a laugh and a beer, kicking goals and tuning chicks.
“RAT LUNGWORM.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, I said RAT LUNGWORM!”
“Why, pray tell, should I worry about rat lungworm? I am not a rat.”
“That’s debatable. Anyhow, the name is misleading, it can infect humans too.”
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the technical term and whilst it’s far from a common source of infection in humans, an encounter with it can be absolutely devastating.
One of the most tragic medical tales I can recall is the story of teenage Aussie rugby player, Sam Ballard. He was just a 19 year old carefree kid, drinking beers at a party with his mates, when accepted a dare that would eventually end his life. His mates dared him to eat a humble garden slug that had slid up onto the table where they were sitting. Just for a laugh.
I can still recall the feeling- being 19 years of age with a few beers under the belt and feeling 10ft tall and bulletproof- a crew of mates egging you on- it would have seemed like nothing. Have you seen some of the things Bear Grylls has eaten on Man vs. Wild?
As it so happened, this particular garden slug was harbouring a rat lungworm infection. A few days after the incident, Sam began to feel pretty average. Within a week he had lapsed into a coma that would last over a year. When he emerged, he was quadriplegic and had trouble communicating. He required heavy, round the clock nursing care until his eventual death a decade later.
I don’t know why I find this particular story so tragic. Wasted potential and the folly of youth always brings that feeling. I suppose I can relate- I did plenty of stupid things just to get a laugh out of my mates when I was the same age. I guess the moral of the story here is “Don’t eat slugs.”
Sam, I hope you’re at peace now, looking down from somewhere magical- having a laugh and a beer, kicking goals and tuning chicks.
Posted via @cloutfeed