Ivy Pocks
This common childhood illness is the nightmare of every adult among the Omni. The small leaf-shaped spots appear all over your skin. They are itchy at first, then start oozing puss or wound water, depending on whether the infected starts to scratch at them or leaves them alone.
Common symptoms are heavy fever and red cheeks, sweaty palms and a dry mouth. Healing it is quite straightforward - keeping yourself hydrated and in bed, isolating yourself from the outside world for some time, eating lots of soups, vegetables and fruits and keeping away from heavy winds, since they can lead to further skin irritation and general dryness.
It is recommended to contact the pharmacy of your choice to receive ingredients for a healing soup or potion. Ready-made remedies can also be of use, depending on their ingredients and dosage.
The infection usually lasts for 10 to 14 days. It is recommended to rest about four days after the last symptoms ended to avoid further infection.
Transmission & Vectors
Ivy pocks pathogens can be found in meat, fish and eggs. They are spread over physical contact and saliva, therefore, isolation of the infected is vital. Covering your mouth if you are infected can help you receive help in a pharmacy or at the doctor's, but still, if possible, stay at home and ask a family member, neighbour or friend to gather the necessary medicine for you.
Only then, the infection can be stopped quickly and thoroughly.
Symptoms
- sweaty palms
- dry mouth
- heavy breathing, coughing
- higher body temperature
- red cheeks
- fever
- itchiness, red leaf-like spots all over the body
- puss and crusts building on top of the spots
- either light or very deep sleep
Treatment
Hot soups, especially herbal or vegetable soups are good at keeping the infection at bay. Many healers also recommend highly concentrated healing potions and herbal teas to lessen the symptoms and improve cognitive functions.
Keep yourself in a relaxed and alert state. Refrain from scratching your skin and keep your mind busy. It is recommended to read books, knit or make small crafts. They are the least dangerous activities and avoid infecting others.
Affected Groups
The Omni: humans, halflings, orcs, furfolk, featherfolk, dimension hoppers (dragonborn, chitines, arachnids (to a degree)) and more
Prevention
If you eat meat regularly, make sure to buy high quality meats and cool them well after buying them. Ivy pocks pathogens spread more easily and quickly if the meats we consume aren't taken care of well. Unfortunately, this does not kill all pathogens, but at least, it holds back the risk.
History
It is said that ivy pocks had a predecessor in ancient times, called chicken pocks. Back then, the symptoms were rather similar, with the same itchiness and red spots all over the body. Now, the shape is rather distinctive and feels more drastic than before. Formerly only recorded for humankind, the illness is harmful to all peoples of the Omni these days, even fur and featherfolk.
Cultural Reception
Those that suffer from ivy pocks are temporarily isolated and, therefore, ostracised by most of the Omni to avoid infection. Immortal people, like Elves or Dwarves, cannot be infected. In some parts of the Wilderness, elves and dwarves can be seen taking responsibility for their Omni friends. This circumstance alone has turned out to be extremely important for the friendship between mortal and immortal people.
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