Can Infections Cause Mental Illnesses?

     In an article by Shari Roan from the Los Angeles Times called "Childhood Disorder Prompts Study of Infection Link to Mental Illness", it is discovered that it is very possible for certain minor infections to cause much more serious mental problems such such a OCD in victims. The term for this unfortunate situation is pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcus, or PANDAS. Because of PANDAS, a young sixth-grader named Brody Kennedy who got strep throat ended up havving obsessive compulsive disorder. The boy started not wanting to go to school because of his newfound germaphobia. He took showers more than three times a day, and in general, becasue very antsy about everything in his environment. These are the typical symptoms of an OCD patient.
     The antibodies from the PANDAS attack only the viral or baterial cells of teh infection, but they also begin to attack neurotransmiters and cells in the brain, which causes mantal issues. This situation not only leads to OCD, but it has also lead to diseases such as anorexia, schizophrenia, and autism. Therefore, if one is to get an infection, especially nowadays, they must immediately go to the doctor adn inform them of this problem if they are already not informed. An infection should not be the underlying cause for something much more serious like a mental illness which may last a lifetime. Brody Kennedy's parents are still taking him to the doctor, and trying to find cures for his problem., Meanwhile, all others are trying to find the solution to these antibodies attacking the brain to prevent other such cases ftom occuring.