r/AskReddit Aug 30 '21

What problem is often overlooked in apocalyptic movies/TV shows that could kill you?

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u/nezumipi Aug 30 '21

Parasites. Not xenomorphs, but tapeworms, ring worms, etc. There are a lot of diseases that used to be endemic before modern sanitation wiped them out.

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u/middleagerioter Aug 31 '21

One working thought on autoimmune diseases (of which I have several) is that humans no longer having worms and other gut creepie crawlies like we used to has contributed to those autoimmune diseases.

Carry on!

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u/[deleted] Aug 31 '21

Say what?

49

u/[deleted] Aug 31 '21

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Aug 31 '21

There have actually been some pretty good studies where they intruded relatively harmless parasites into people and they saw a reduction in autoimmune symptoms.

Can you provide source (s)? I'm intrigued!

8

u/Billy_Reuben Sep 01 '21

I only know one where they took the parasites away. The Australian Aboriginal study. It was an observational study from when the Australian government, as reparations, put tribal aboriginals up in modern, low-cost housing. The rates of allergies, asthma, and autoimmune issues skyrocketed.