Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has revealed that he suffered from a health issue in 2010, which he believes was caused by a worm that entered his brain and died. According to reports from The New York Times and CNN, Kennedy experienced memory loss and mental fogginess so severe that doctors initially believed he had a brain tumor based on his brain scans. However, after further investigation, it was determined that the issue was actually caused by a parasite.
The exact type of parasite is not clear, but experts have suggested it could be a pork tapeworm larva. Kennedy contracted the parasite during one of his trips as part of his work as an environmental advocate, likely in Africa, South America, or Asia. The health issue was resolved more than 10 years ago and Kennedy is now in robust physical and mental health.
The discovery of the parasite came to light through a deposition Kennedy gave during divorce proceedings from his second wife Mary Richardson Kennedy in 2012. In the deposition, he discussed his symptoms and how they affected his earning power due to cognitive issues such as short-term memory loss and longer-term memory loss.
Despite this revelation, a campaign spokesperson for Kennedy downplayed concerns about his health, stating that questioning Kennedy's health is a 'hilarious suggestion'. The spokesperson also noted that Kennedy has secured a place on the ballots in several states including Utah, Michigan, Hawaii, California and Delaware.
It is important to note that parasitic infections of the brain can cause various symptoms including seizures, inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, and calcified cysts. However, it is difficult to fully review Kennedy's claim without looking at his scans and pork tapeworm infections can be difficult to diagnose because when the worm is alive it masks itself from detection and doesn't show up on scans.
Kennedy has faced criticism for his views on vaccines, particularly the Covid-19 vaccine. He has also been associated with fringe parties and conspiracy theories. However, it is crucial to separate fact from fiction when reporting on such matters.
