![Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claims that a parasitic worm ate part of his brain and then died back in 2010.](https://san.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CLEAN-GettyImagesRFKJR_Getty-Images_featuredImage_Wed-May-08-2024.jpg?w=1920)
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says a worm ate part of his brain then died
By Karah Rucker (Anchor), Evan Hummel (Producer), Jake Maslo (Video Editor)
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RFK Jr. Says A Worm Ate Part Of His Brain
Click to see story on HuffPostRFK Jr: A worm ate part of my brain and then died
Click to see story on Raw StoryRFK Jr. Says He Had a Dead Worm in His Brain
Click to see story on RollingStoneReport: RFK Jr. said doctors once found a dead worm that had eaten part of his brain
Click to see story on MSNBCRFK Jr. Says Doctors Found a Dead Worm in His Brain: Report
Click to see story on The Daily BeastRFK Jr. Says a Worm Ate Part of His Brain and Died Inside His Head
Click to see story on The New RepublicRobert F Kennedy Jr says health issue caused by dead worm in his brain
Click to see story on The GuardianRobert F Kennedy Jr says a worm ate part of his brain and then died inside his head
Click to see story on The IndependentRobert F. Kennedy Jr. ‘contracted a parasite’ during travels, his team says after NYT report
Click to see story on USA TodayNYT: RFK Jr. says worm ‘got into my brain and ate a portion of it’
Click to see story on CNNRFK Jr. says he had parasitic brain worm and undisclosed memory loss
Click to see story on The Washington PostRFK Jr. says he had a dead worm in his brain. What are these parasites and how common are they?
Click to see story on Los Angeles TimesRFK Jr. has faced health issues including hepatitis C, mercury poisoning and a dead worm in his brain
Click to see story on Star TribuneRFK Jr. Claims a Worm Ate Part of His Brain and Then Died
Click to see story on MediaiteNYT: RFK Jr. says worm ‘got into my brain and ate a portion of it’
Click to see story on KVIARFK Jr. says parasite ate part of his brain
Click to see story on The HillRobert F Kennedy Jr says a worm ate part of his brain and then died
Click to see story on Sky News UKRFK Jr. says doctors found a dead worm in his brain | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Click to see story on Star AdvertiserRFK Jr. said in 2012 that he thought a worm ate part of his brain: ‘I have cognitive problems, clearly’
Click to see story on Business InsiderRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KCRA 3RFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WCVBRFK Jr. Says Doctors Found a Dead Worm in His Brain
Click to see story on Political WireRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WLWTRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WMURRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WLKYRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WESHRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on Koco News5RFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KETVRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WDSURFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WTAERFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WYFFRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KCCIRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KMBCRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WISNRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WBAL-TVRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WPTZRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WMTWRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WVTMRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WAPTRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KOATRobert F. Kennedy Jr. says doctors found a dead worm in his brain in 2010
Click to see story on NY1RFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WPBFRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WGALRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WXIIRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KSBWRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WJCLRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KHBSRFK Jr. says parasite ate part of his brain
Click to see story on WSAVRFK Jr. says worm ate part of his brain before dying inside his head: report
Click to see story on WJARRFK Jr. said doctors found a dead worm in his head after it ate part of his brain
Click to see story on New York PostRFK Jr campaign laughs off idea parasite that ate part of his brain has lingering effects on his fitness
Click to see story on Washington ExaminerRFK Jr. says doctors found dead worm that ate part of his brain
Click to see story on Just the NewsRFK Jr says a worm ate his brain then died in his head
Click to see story on Express USUntracked Bias
RFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on 98 Rock BaltimoreRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on MOR-TVRFK Jr. Said He Suffered Brain Injuries From A Parasite
Click to see story on kffhealthnews.orgIndependent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed in a 2012 deposition — as part of his divorce proceedings from his second wife — that he had experienced a parasitic worm eating part of his brain. The finding was first reported by the New York Times on Wednesday, May 8.
Kennedy said that it occurred in 2010, causing memory loss and mental fogginess. At first, doctors suspected a tumor upon finding a dark spot on his brain scans, but one doctor offered a different diagnosis: a dead parasite.
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Kennedy claimed the abnormality was discovered in his scans was due to “a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died.” He speculated that the infection may have been contracted during a trip to South Asia.
Around the same time, Kennedy reported suffering from mercury poisoning due to his heavy diet of tuna and perch, both fish known to carry high levels of mercury. Kennedy claimed that he had mercury levels in his body 10 times higher than the recommended amount by the Environmental Protection Agency. Medical experts suggest mercury poisoning could have been the more likely cause of Kennedy memory loss and brain fog.
Infectious disease experts interviewed by The New York Times suggested that based on Kennedy’s descriptions, the parasite was likely a pork tapeworm larva, although they did not treat Kennedy directly.
Tapeworms usually reside in the stomach and intestines, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, the Mayo Clinic does state that it is possible for tapeworms to migrate out of human intestines. In India, a teenager died in 2019 after being infected with tapeworms after the parasite formed cysts in his brain. The brain infection is known as neurocysticercosis and results in around 2,000 hospitalizations a year in the United States.
An expert on parasites at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln said once the worm is in the brain, cells calcify around it, which can mimic a tumor on brain scans. The calcification likely remains in the brain forever.
Doctors concluded that Kennedy’s cyst contained the “remains of the parasite.” Kennedy said he has since had it monitored and said there are no changes.
Kennedy also said that he has since recovered from the mercury poisoning after treatment and has no lingering symptoms of memory loss or mental fogginess. However, he has had other health issues in the past, including heart problems and hepatitis C.
When asked by the NYT if his health could impact his capacity to be president, Kennedy’s campaign spokesperson dismissed the notion, saying, “That is a hilarious suggestion, given the competition.”
Doctors do caution that treated parasitic infections and mercury poisoning can lead to permanent brain damage, although full recovery is possible.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has not released his medical records. Similarly, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have not released their medical records. Due to the undisclosed medical records of Kennedy, it’s unclear what parasite allegedly died in his brain.
A University of Texas professor of infectious diseases said it is unlikely a parasite would eat part of Kennedy’s brain, as the parasites typically survive on nutrients in the body. He did say that some tapeworm larvae can live in the brain for years without causing issues. Other larvae can cause death, inflammation, seizures, headaches and dizziness.
[KARAH RUCKER]
INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ROBERT F. KENNEDY SAID A WORM ATE PART OF HIS BRAIN.
THE REVELATION, FIRST REPORTED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES, CAME DURING A 2012 DEPOSITION AS PART OF HIS DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS FROM HIS SECOND WIFE.
KENNEDY SAID HE BEGAN EXPERIENCING MEMORY LOSS AND MENTAL FOGGINESS IN 2010.
HE EVENTUALLY CONSULTED WITH DOCTORS WHO FOUND A DARK SPOT ON HIS BRAIN DURING A SCAN.
AT FIRST, DOCTORS BELIEVED HE HAD A TUMOR.
BUT ONE DOCTOR HAD A DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS.
A DEAD PARASITE IN HIS HEAD.
KENNEDY STATED THE ABNORMALITY IN HIS SCANS “WAS CAUSED BY A WORM THAT GOT INTO MY BRAIN AND ATE A PORTION OF IT AND THEN DIED.”
KENNEDY — LIKE PRESIDENT BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP — HAS DECLINED TO RELEASE HIS MEDICAL RECORDS.
AND IT’S UNCLEAR WHAT KIND OF PARASITE “DIED” IN HIS BRAIN.
HE SPECULATES HE GOT THE PARASITE FROM A TRIP TO SOUTH ASIA.
AROUND THE SAME TIME, KENNEDY SAID HE WAS SUFFERING FROM MERCURY POISONING DUE TO HIS DIET HEAVY IN TUNA AND PERCH, BOTH KNOWN TO CARRY HIGH LEVELS OF MERCURY.
HE CLAIMED HE HAD LEVELS OF MERCURY 10 TIMES HIGHER THAN THE RECOMMENDED E-P-A LEVELS. SOMETHING SOME MEDICAL EXPERTS IS THE MORE LIKELY CAUSE OF KENNEDY’S MEMORY LOSS AND BRAIN FOG.
REGARDING THE BRAIN PARASITE, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS AND NEUROSURGEONS, TOLD THE TIMES BASED ON KENNEDY’S DESCRIPTIONS, IT WAS LIKELY A PORK TAPEWORM LARVA.
TAPEWORMS USUALLY RESIDE IN THE STOMACH AND INTESTINES, BUT THE MAYO CLINIC NOTES IT’S POSSIBLE FOR TAPEWORMS TO MIGRATE OUT OF HUMAN INTESTINES.
AS A CASE IN INDIA SHOWS.
IN 2019, A TEENAGER DIED AFTER BEING INFECTED WITH TAPEWORMS AFTER THE PARASITE FORMED CYSTS IN HIS BRAIN.
THE BRAIN INFECTION IS KNOWN AS NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS [NEURO-CYSTIC-SER-COSIS] AND RESULTS IN AROUND TWO-THOUSAND HOSPITALIZATIONS A YEAR IN THE U-S.
AN EXPERT ON PARASITES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN SAYS ONCE THE WORM IS IN THE BRAIN, CELLS CALCIFY AROUND IT.
WHICH CAN MIMIC A TUMOR ON BRAIN SCANS. THE CALCIFICATION LIKELY REMAINS IN THE BRAIN FOREVER.
DOCTORS CONCLUDED KENNEDY’S CYST CONTAINED THE “REMAINS OF THE PARASITE.”
HE HAS HAD IT MONITORED AND SAID THERE ARE NO CHANGES.
A UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PROFESSOR OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES SAID IT IS UNLIKELY A PARASITE WOULD EAT PART OF KENNEDY’S BRAIN. THEY TYPICALLY SURVIVE ON NUTRIENTS IN THE BODY.
HE DID SAY SOME TAPEWORM LARVAE CAN LIVE IN THE BRAIN FOR YEARS WITHOUT CAUSING ISSUES.
OTHERS CAN CAUSE DEATH, INFLAMMATION, SEIZURES, HEADACHES AND DIZZINESS.
KENNEDY SAYS HE HAS SINCE RECOVERED FROM THE MERCURY POISONING–
AFTER UNDERGOING TREATMENT.
AND HAS NO LINGERING SYMPTOMS OF MEMORY LOSS OR MENTAL FOGGINESS.
RFK HAS HAD OTHER HEALTH ISSUES– FROM HEART PROBLEMS TO HEPATITIS C.
ASKED BY THE TIMES IF IT COULD IMPACT HIS CAPACITY TO BE PRESIDENT, HIS CAMPAIGN SPOKESPERSON SAID:
THAT IS A HILARIOUS SUGGESTION, GIVEN THE COMPETITION.
FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR GO TO OUT WEBSITE AT SAN-DOT-COM.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
RFK Jr. Says A Worm Ate Part Of His Brain
Click to see story on HuffPostRFK Jr: A worm ate part of my brain and then died
Click to see story on Raw StoryRFK Jr. Says He Had a Dead Worm in His Brain
Click to see story on RollingStoneReport: RFK Jr. said doctors once found a dead worm that had eaten part of his brain
Click to see story on MSNBCRFK Jr. Says Doctors Found a Dead Worm in His Brain: Report
Click to see story on The Daily BeastRFK Jr. Says a Worm Ate Part of His Brain and Died Inside His Head
Click to see story on The New RepublicRobert F Kennedy Jr says health issue caused by dead worm in his brain
Click to see story on The GuardianRobert F Kennedy Jr says a worm ate part of his brain and then died inside his head
Click to see story on The IndependentRobert F. Kennedy Jr. ‘contracted a parasite’ during travels, his team says after NYT report
Click to see story on USA TodayNYT: RFK Jr. says worm ‘got into my brain and ate a portion of it’
Click to see story on CNNRFK Jr. says he had parasitic brain worm and undisclosed memory loss
Click to see story on The Washington PostRFK Jr. says he had a dead worm in his brain. What are these parasites and how common are they?
Click to see story on Los Angeles TimesRFK Jr. has faced health issues including hepatitis C, mercury poisoning and a dead worm in his brain
Click to see story on Star TribuneRFK Jr. Claims a Worm Ate Part of His Brain and Then Died
Click to see story on MediaiteNYT: RFK Jr. says worm ‘got into my brain and ate a portion of it’
Click to see story on KVIARFK Jr. says parasite ate part of his brain
Click to see story on The HillRobert F Kennedy Jr says a worm ate part of his brain and then died
Click to see story on Sky News UKRFK Jr. says doctors found a dead worm in his brain | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Click to see story on Star AdvertiserRFK Jr. said in 2012 that he thought a worm ate part of his brain: ‘I have cognitive problems, clearly’
Click to see story on Business InsiderRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KCRA 3RFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WCVBRFK Jr. Says Doctors Found a Dead Worm in His Brain
Click to see story on Political WireRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WLWTRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WMURRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WLKYRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WESHRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on Koco News5RFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KETVRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WDSURFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WTAERFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WYFFRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KCCIRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KMBCRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WISNRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WBAL-TVRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WPTZRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WMTWRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WVTMRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WAPTRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KOATRobert F. Kennedy Jr. says doctors found a dead worm in his brain in 2010
Click to see story on NY1RFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WPBFRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WGALRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WXIIRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KSBWRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on WJCLRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on KHBSRFK Jr. says parasite ate part of his brain
Click to see story on WSAVRFK Jr. says worm ate part of his brain before dying inside his head: report
Click to see story on WJARRFK Jr. said doctors found a dead worm in his head after it ate part of his brain
Click to see story on New York PostRFK Jr campaign laughs off idea parasite that ate part of his brain has lingering effects on his fitness
Click to see story on Washington ExaminerRFK Jr. says doctors found dead worm that ate part of his brain
Click to see story on Just the NewsRFK Jr says a worm ate his brain then died in his head
Click to see story on Express USUntracked Bias
RFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on 98 Rock BaltimoreRFK Jr. says a dead worm was found in his brain: New York Times report
Click to see story on MOR-TVRFK Jr. Said He Suffered Brain Injuries From A Parasite
Click to see story on kffhealthnews.orgUnbiased news.
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