1. Viral Infections

Viral infections are one of the first risk factors for developing this mental illness. How is this possible? All viruses (or some of them) can cause brain damage. While some are pretty dangerous for the neurological system, others can lead to physical abnormalities, which sometimes include altered fingerprint patterns in people with schizophrenia.

For example, scientists discovered that people who developed this mental illness had at least two or more herpes viruses in their bodies. According to studies, individuals with specific genetic combinations are more likely to develop schizophrenia when specific viruses (HSV and CMV) infect them.

2. Toxoplasmosis

The parasite toxoplasmosis gondii (scientific name), which is carried by cats and can infect humans, is also more likely to be detected in the blood of people with schizophrenia. Even if it’s not entirely accurate, several studies have suggested that growing up around cats marginally increases the risk of schizophrenia and that the condition is more prevalent in nations and areas where cat ownership is more common than in others.