Devil's Pox

It felt like the itch burned deep under her skin and no matter how hard she tore at her own flesh, the feeling would no go away. Suddenly her nail caught the top of the blister and ripped it open. The acrid stench of the puss that flowed free stung her eyes and nose. She knew what the doctors would say, and that she could not bid farewell to her family for surely she would infect them too. Weeping, she took herself to the bluffs at the edge of the town. Looking down into the rough seas she accepted her fate. "Hamar, be good to me," she uttered as she threw herself down into the churning ocean.

Symptoms

One accursed with the pox of the devil will first notice itching on their forehead, near their brow. This is followed by blisters that form over the next day or so. After a few days the blisters will begin to weep a foul smelling puss that creates new blisters in it's wake. During this time blisters will begin to form on fingertips and around the fingernails, exhibiting the same patterns as those on the forehead.
By the fifth day the blisters are across the victim's face and cover their arms to their chest. Blisters have also begun to form in their mouths making it difficult to eat and drink. Fever sets in, accompanied by endless headaches.

Prognosis

Death

Prevention

For as long as anyone can remember, to prevent being struck down with the pox one simply has to take the puss of a victim within the first two days and mix it will a mulled wine. The beverage then has to be consumed. Young children are also encouraged to bath in barrels of mead that have had puss added to it.
Author's note: It doesn't work.

Epidemiology

There is no known cause for the Devil's Pox. Outbreaks have started in banquet halls as frequently as they have started in fields. Hermits have been found deceased in their abodes having not had contact with anyone. Once a pox is suspected, victims are shunned into isolation where they live out thier last days writhing and screaming in agony.
It is believed that the pox travels through physical contact and can spread even when there is no obvious signs of an infection. Families of victims of the pox will leave town, generally of their own free will to ensure that if they are carrying the disease that it doesn't spread any futher.

Type

Viral