Flesh Rot

Necrotising Fasciitis

Flesh Rot, known medically as Necrotising Fasciitis and sometimes colloquially (if incorrectly) known as the "Flesh-Eating Disease", is a physical condition that kills soft tissues within the body, usually starting with the skin and muscles. It is a serious condition that is fatal if left untreated, with those that have observed its effects stating that "bones, flesh, and sinew would fall off from the body". The most commonly affected areas are the limbs, perineum, and genitals.

Flesh Rot is caused by either a bacterial infection or fungal infection, with most cases being caused by bacteria. It is relatively rare, occurring in around 1 in 220,000 people with all sexes being affected equally. It is more prevalent in older individuals, and almost never occurs in children. Despite the alternative colloquial name of "Flesh-Eating Disease", the bacteria and fungus that cause Flesh Rot do not actually "eat" the flesh. Instead, they release toxins that poison and kill tissues.

Flesh Rot is fatal is felt untreated and moves rapidly, often requiring amputations within hours of the disease being contracted. However, Flesh Rot is not resistant to magical intervention, though requires access to Cure Disease spells or a Paladin's Lay on Hands.

Causes

Flesh Rot is caused by either a bacterial infection or a fungal infection that enters the body through an otherwise small and seemingly insignificant wound, such as a cut or scrape. Fungal Flesh Rot typically occurs after contact with infected salt water, though the bacterial forms of Flesh Rot are varied and difficult to identify without careful study.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Flesh Rot tend to arise very quickly, often within hours of infection. These symptoms include redness, swelling and hardening of the skin and soft tissue; excessive pain, high fever, fatigue, muscle pains, shiny/tense skin, and large amounts of smelly pus and discharge. The initial changes are similar to cellulitis or abscesses, and redness and swelling usually blend into surrounding normal tissues, so many cases are initially overlooked.

Later signs more suggestive of Flesh Rot include blisters, palpable gas in tissues, reduced/absent sensation over the skin of the affected area, and bruising that progresses to skin necrosis, though these symptoms only present in half of cases.

Those that contract Flesh Rot will eventually display symptoms of shock and sepsis.

Treatment

Flesh Rot can be treated without practical medical care by the use of a Cure Disease (T3 Spell) or a Paladin's Lay On Hands.

Otherwise, it must be treated by debridement of the infected area and antibiotic potions. In some cases, amputation is required.

Prognosis

If caught and treated quickly, a full recovery from Flesh Rot is possible, though the process can be slow and painful if extensive debridement or amputation were necessary.

Sequela

Flesh Rot often leads to sepsis, which can cause additional problems with recovery, or even lead to death. Recuperation from Flesh Rot can be long and difficult, especially if practical medical intervention was necessary.

Prevention

Proper wound care is extremely important in the prevention of Flesh Rot, and some recommend the use of preemptive tonics in instances of injury in locations where Flesh Rot as been known to develop before (such as in salt marshes).

Cultural Reception

Flesh Rot is typically looked upon with great fear amongst populations with limited access to medicines and magical healing, due to its ability to arise without warning and kill rapidly.

Contents

Type

Bacterial

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Rare