Is the virus in The Last of Us real?

Yes.

The fungus from The Last of Us is based on a real fungus that exists in nature today and is called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, or cordyceps. Cordyceps is often referred to as the “zombie-ant fungus” because it primarily infects ants and other insects such as spiders.

What is the virus in The Last of Us?

“The Last of Us” on HBO envisions a pandemic with a twist: It's a fungus, not a virus that wipes out much of civilization with terrifying speed. The pathogen takes over the brains and bodies of infected people, turning them into violent monsters that sprout tendrils from their mouths.

Where did the zombie virus come from in The Last of Us?

Unlike any other zombie apocalypse, the infected are not dead beings but instead have been taken over by what's known as the cordyceps infection, a real-life fungus that mutated from infecting animals to infecting humans, which makes it all the more terrifying.

Can fungi infect humans?

Anyone can get a fungal infection, even people who are otherwise healthy. People breathe in or come in contact with fungal spores every day without getting sick. However, in people with weakened immune systems, these fungi are more likely to cause an infection.

Could the last of us actually happen?

Can HBO's new zombie apocalypse series The Last of Us happen in real life? Not likely, biologists say.

Could The Last Of Us Happen IRL? Surgeon Reacts To Cordyceps Infection & Zombie Fungus

Would the last of us happen in real life?

There are some species that can cause disease in humans, not the Cordyceps, but there are others.” Most of the science community is saying that a Cordyceps-related apocalypse is extremely unlikely for a multitude of reasons. Shapiro told the Mike Farwell Show why she doesn't see it happening.

Are runners still human in The Last of Us?

Since the eyes are first targeted by the fungus, runners have poor eyesight, but maintain most of their human characteristics. For example, their moans are still human, just like their overall appearance. They are notably fast and agile. Runners stand in a hunched position when motionless, unlike normal survivors.

Are the infected aware in The Last of Us?

Sometimes Infected that still have their entire face intact look sad or worried as they attack, indicating that first and second stage Infected are aware of what they are doing, but cannot control themselves.

What is the scariest infected in The Last of Us?

1 Rat King

The final stage of the Infected is a vicious and disgusting mutation of the Cordyceps Brain Infection. The Rat King is a combination of Runners, Stalkers, Clickers, and other Infected, melded together into one giant monster. It is durable and deadly.

Is anyone else immune in The Last of Us?

So far, there are no other immune survivors in the world of The Last of Us. Joel may have run away with humanity's only shot at a vaccine. Whether he was right or wrong to do so, well… That is up for the viewers to decide.

Why was Ellie immune?

Ellie's Immunity Comes From Cordyceps Already In Her System

Whenever Cordyceps has entered Ellie's system - such as the bites shown in The Last of Us episodes 2 and 7 - the Cordyceps already in her system make the new fungi entering her body think she is already infected, rendering her immune from its effects.

What do The Last of Us zombies eat?

Relying on primitive, animalistic instincts caused by the infection, they will attempt to attack and/or eat any human they find.

What happens if you breathe in spores The Last of Us?

If you get hit by the spores, or inhale them enough Joel dies. He falls to to the floor, kinda like he fainted. It is not acidic,it's TOXIC.

How long does it take to become a Bloater?

Bloaters have been infected for an extremely long time, as it takes about 10 to 15 years to become a bloater. At this stage in the infection, the host is completely covered in fungal armor plating, still uses a form of echolocation to find its pray, and is capable of throwing bombs of spores at their opponents.

How was the first person infected in The Last of Us?

Instead, it was fungi. The show's opening had two Epidemiologists on a talk show where one of them (Dr Neuman) explained how dangerous fungi can be compared to bacteria and virus. The Cordyceps, a type of fungi, evolved and started infecting the humans, turning them into the monsters we know as Clickers.

Can infected see your flashlight The Last of Us?

Infected cannot see your flashlight, so it is okay to use it - especially in areas that are super dark. WLF and Seraphites can see your flashlight though, so it is good to turn it off (if you can) around people to avoid being detected.

Can you beat The Last of Us without killing anyone?

Jesse and Ellie separate after the latter insists on going after Abby instead of investigating the marina, and that's the last time Ellie has an NPC companion the rest of the game. You can complete the section where you need to steal the boat without killing a single enemy.

Why are bloaters so strong?

Bloaters are one of the rarest and toughest forms of Infected purely because they've been marinating in their own Cordyceps juices for decades.

How long can the infected live in The Last of Us?

The TV series has confirmed that many infected expire after a year or so, putting an end to the fungus's mobility. But some have been around since the original outbreak — that could be 20 years of living hell.

Is There A Cure For The Last of Us?

In short: no, no cure is developed in The Last Of Us Part (and Season) 2 for the cordyceps infection that changed the world.

Why do some infected become bloaters?

Unlike the more common clickers, people who have reached bloater stage are pretty much entirely encased in the fungus that grows from out of an infected's head. This happens when the victim's been infected for years and has somehow managed to “survive” that long.

Could cordyceps ever infect humans?

Despite their inclusion in popular works of fiction, Cordyceps fungi are not likely to evolve to trigger infections in humans in the future. Many Cordyceps species are highly specialized to infect certain species of arthropods, such as ants or spiders.

Why can't cordyceps infect humans?

There are thousands of species of cordyceps each designed to infect a particular species – luckily, humans aren't one of them. The human body's immune system is more advanced than that of an ant and has a higher internal temperature, which would protect it from cordyceps infection.

How far into the apocalypse is The Last of Us?

The original The Last of Us game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where society crumbled after a pandemic turned people into vicious zombie-like creatures. In the game's chronology, the pandemics erupt in 2013, with the main events of The Last of Us happening twenty years later, in 2023.

Why is Joel not infected?

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for season one, episode three of "The Last of Us." Joel says the cordyceps outbreak likely started by mutating and tainting foods with flour or sugar. Joel, Sarah, and Tommy likely weren't infected on episode one because they avoided eating pancakes, biscuits, and cake.