Scarlet Sickness

Transmission & Vectors

Scarlet Sickness is an infection of the lymphatic system, usually resulting from the bite of an infected flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (the rat flea). In rare circumstances, the disease can be transmitted by direct contact with infected tissue or exposure to the cough of another creature.

Causes

Fleas are parasitic on house and field rats, and seek out other prey when its rodent hosts die. The bacteria remain harmless to the flea, allowing the new host to spread the bacteria. The bacteria form aggregates in the gut of infected fleas and this results in the flea regurgitating ingested blood, which is now infected, into the bite site of a rodent or humanoid host. Once established, bacteria rapidly spread to the lymph nodes and multiply.

Symptoms

Fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhoea, the skin breaking out in scarlet coloured blotches, and then death. In that order.

Treatment

Currently unknown.

Prognosis

As the disease progresses, the lymph nodes can haemorrhage and become swollen and necrotic. Scarlet Sickness can progress to become lethal. The plague is also known to spread to the lungs.

Hosts & Carriers

House and Field rats, Fleas, Ticks, Humanoids.

Prevention

Unknown

Type

Bacterial

Origin

Magical

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Unique