Aether Decay

From my bed, I could see Loke and Sergei. They didn't start any conversation. Instead, they looked at the odd mark on my hand. "...good morning?" I said.
Sergei, as usual, beamed ear to ear, "So, your first aether reaction! Do you feel any better?"
Before I could reply, Loke interrupted him, "He could've died," he spat, "Aether Decay isn't there for your entertainment."
Sergei shrugged, "It wasn't fatal," he rolled his eyes, "At least, thanks to me it wasn't."

Aether Decay is when the body has an adverse affect to magical healing techniques, commonly observed as hostile reactions to potions and other mage tonics. It's categorised as an allergic reaction and varies in severity depending on the individual.
The true cause elusive - trying a mage's potions or tools comes with this risk. Most aether-ignorant people see it as a regular, if not undesired, outcome from trusting magic.

Transmission & Vectors

The condition is only gained through an allergic reaction toward arcane tonics or aether touching the skin or internal organs. Regular methods of contact are as follows:

• Through consuming an arcane tonic or substance (For the specific effects of eating beast flesh, refer to: Beast Consumption)
• Contact with aether-contaminated air for sustained periods, including the workplaces of wizards and wiccan
• Practising magic for sustained periods without proper protection (including frequent use of arcane artefacts and spell books)
• Residual sickness from travelling through the dimensions (as experienced by residents of Muchanne, Avalon and Listeneise)

The only way this condition can become infectious if the quantities are so extreme that a patient transmits too much aether for even the bodies of those around them. Treatment, therefore, should be carried out by aether-gifted or aether-resistant physicians.

Causes

The true causes and reasoning behind the affliction are yet to be understood. Basic concepts, such as how it spreads and who gets infected, are the only facts behind its inception. Many scholars have magical implements or live in hostile environments for patients, making experimentation dangerous. Mutual distrust between the aether-ignorant and magic practitioners also delay medical understanding.

Symptoms

Physical Symptoms

These physical symptoms will vary depending on how the patient was exposed to aether potions, tonics or substances and which ones. Overall symptoms that occur are:

• Wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath
• Patches of red rashes (hives)
• Swollen lips, tongue, eyes or face
• Stomach pain, diarrhoea, queasiness or vomiting
• Dry, red skin
• Irritated, red or watering eyes
• Changes in magic use or aether disconnection

Severe Symptoms

In more extreme cases of Aether Decay, it's recommended a patient seek immediate medical help. Even if one of these signs persist, it could be fatal:

• Sudden changes in temperature
• Fainting spells or light-headedness
• Swelling of the throat or mouth
• Loss of breath
• General confusion
• Blue skin or lips
• signs of aether burns (similar to acid burns)

Treatment

Patients are moved from possible sources of aether and left in idyllic areas with the hope that the good air will counteract the malevolent energies. A physician will prescribe rest and a diet rich in fruit and seeds. These are thought to help move aether through the digestive system and out the body. They also encourage the use of incense to drive it out with a competing type of air, where staying in the countryside is unrealistic.  
Most cases disappear with time, the most minor only taking place over a few hours. In serious cases, a cure is hard to come by and treatments focus on making physical symptoms more tolerable. Physicians take extra care to regulate the body temperature of their patient.

Prognosis

The condition comes into effect quickly and wears off on its own after 3-6 hours in the best case scenario. Healthy individuals report the condition is akin to an allergic reaction or food poisoning, easily fought off with home remedies. 
In more dire outcomes, severe symptoms emerge in the first 1-3 hours of the affliction. These cases are hard to combat since the most effective cures expose the patient to even more aether. With wizards reluctant to help in treating patients, a physician must attempt treatment with their available means. If the physician's efforts are for nought, the condition becomes fatal.

Sequela

If a patient recovers from severe symptoms, they have an increased vulnerability to aether. For these individuals, contact with aether is more than likely to be fatal. Some are left unable to perform magic after their supposed recovery, even when they were once very talented or well practised. 
Those who experience breathing difficulties as part of their symptoms (around a third) may experience continued respiratory problems.

Affected Groups

Aether Decay is commonly due to a genetic disposition or pot luck. Some can simply withstand magic and its products from birth. At least, from what has been observed.

Prevention

Some are naturally more likely to suffer from Aether Decay than others. It's rare for someone who practises magic regularly to suffer from an adverse reaction unless their magic backfires significantly.
For those who use magical tonics or spells, it's recommended that patients use arcane methods of healing as infrequently as possible. These potions are only directly described by physicians for fatal or chronic conditions, where no alternatives exist. However, Wiccan keep these sorts of items in regular supply. 
Other methods of prevention usually depend on the user's devotion, such as prayer at a dedicated shrine or a special charm made for purpose. It's also recommended by theological experts not to commit sins or practise magic, else they come down with the condition.

Epidemiology

A poorly made batch of potions with too high concentrations of aether can spread through the population on occasion. This causes an unusual rise in Aether Decay cases, though its occurrence remains infrequent. When these leaks do happen, it's usually blamed on local Wiccan communities who supply them to unwary customers.

Cultural Reception

In hunter circles (or amongst knights and soldiers) a case of Aether Decay is seen as a rite of passage into their dangerous way of life. Though it's not the best for them, a sufferer who recovers is held in higher regard - or as more enduring - than someone who never gets the condition.
For common folk, a individual vulnerable to Aether Decay is seen as delicate or sickly, kept away from situations that could increase their exposure to aether. Though patients recover quickly, they might live in imposed quarantine for a week or more. Those who suffered from severe symptoms are kept even further away from the outside world, as if they were made of clay.

Type

Magical

Children

• Beast Consumption

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Uncommon

Affected Species

• Krodian
• Light Elf
• Dark Elf
• Human
• Orc