Introduction
The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic action-adventure game that tells the story of Joel and Ellie, two survivors of a global pandemic that wiped out most of humanity. Throughout the game, players encounter various characters, including Frank, who succumbs to a mysterious and deadly disease. In this article, we will explore Frank’s illness and the science behind it, as well as the relevance it has to real-world public health threats.
Unpacking the Disease in The Last of Us: A Look into Frank’s Illness
Frank is a minor character in The Last of Us, but his illness plays a crucial role in the story. He is a friend of the protagonist Joel and his brother Tommy and is known to have been infected with a deadly virus that has claimed the lives of many. Although the game does not provide much information about Frank’s background, it is clear that he played a significant role in Joel’s life, which makes his eventual death all the more tragic.
The Last of Us: Understanding the Deadly Virus That Claimed Frank’s Life
The Last of Us takes place in a world where a fungal pandemic has spread across the globe, causing the collapse of society as we know it. The virus, known as Cordyceps Brain Infection (CBI), is spread through spores that infect the host’s brain. Once infected, the host becomes a “runner,” exhibiting aggressive behavior and a need to spread the infection to others.
The CBI virus has various stages, starting with the initial infection and progressing to severe neurological symptoms. The infection can occur through contact with infected bodily fluids or inhalation of spores, which makes it highly contagious. The game’s world is overrun with infected people, making survival difficult for Joel and Ellie.
Exploring the Science behind Frank’s Illness in The Last of Us
The CBI virus is a fictional virus, but it is based on real-world pathogens known as Cordyceps fungi, which are parasitic fungi that infect insects. The game’s developers, Naughty Dog, consulted with real-world epidemiologists and infectious disease experts to create a plausible scenario for a pandemic.
One of the most frightening aspects of the virus is its ability to take control of the host’s brain and force them to spread the infection. The fungus creates a network of tentacles that penetrate the brain and alter the host’s behavior, causing them to be aggressive and hostile towards uninfected humans.
A Closer Look at the Symptoms and Progression of the Disease That Killed Frank in The Last of Us
The symptoms of CBI begin with a fever, headache, and nausea. As the infection progresses, the host experiences severe cognitive dysfunction, seizures, and hallucinations, among other things. Eventually, the host succumbs to the disease, at which point the fungus grows out of their head in a grotesque and unsettling manner.
Frank’s death is sudden and surprising, but it is not entirely unexpected given the game’s setting. He had likely been infected for some time and was unable to find a cure or a way to slow down the progression of his illness.
The Last of Us: How Frank’s Illness Illustrates the Dangers of a Pandemic
The Last of Us is a work of fiction, but it has real-world implications. The game’s depiction of a global pandemic is eerily prescient, given the current situation with COVID-19. It illustrates the dangers that pandemics can pose to human society and the need to take them seriously.
The game also shows the importance of public health measures in containing the spread of infectious diseases. In The Last of Us, quarantine zones are established to keep infected individuals away from the healthy population. While these measures are not always successful, they demonstrate the importance of taking decisive action to prevent the spread of diseases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Frank’s illness in The Last of Us is a testament to the game’s attention to detail and the real-world relevance of its storyline. The virus that claimed his life, CBI, is a fictional creation, but it is based on real-world diseases and pathogens. The game serves as a reminder that pandemics can pose a significant threat to human society and that we must take measures to prevent their spread.
Understanding diseases such as CBI can help us prepare for the possibility of future pandemics and develop better strategies for dealing with outbreaks. The Last of Us shows that games can be used to educate people about public health issues and illustrates the importance of taking pandemics seriously.
