Pellis Fletus

"Pellis Fletus"

Transmission & Vectors

The bacteria is transmitted through contact with infected dust, dirt, rocks, mud, dung, and dead rodents and lizards. Humanoid becomes infected through prolonged exposure, repeated handling, or inhaling the bacteria contaminated debris. Cuts and sores on the body hasten the bacterial invasion.

Causes

The bacteria enters the blood stream through cuts and soars, or occasionally through inhalation. A healthy immune system is able to quickly fight it off. However with a weakened immune system the bacteria finds its way to the surface blood vessels just under the skin, where they take hold and multiply. It is believed that they feed on the slow moving blood in the capillaries and convert the little bit of sunlight, that penetrates the thin outer skin, into chemical energy. Once the bacteria take hold they quickly dry out the outer layer of skin causing it to fall off or "shed" and new skin is replaced and the process continues.

Symptoms

Those affected have initial symptoms of chills, itching, and dry skin. Additionally they begin to develop dry sunken eyes, become constantly thirsty and eventually their outer skin begins to shed off.

Treatment

There is currently no known natural remedy. The best hope for an affected individual is to have a high level priest or cleric perform a cure disease spell.

Prognosis

While not life threatening, the conditions will continue to worsen over time. In the last stages, most try to wrap themselves in bandages in order to try and keep their skin form flaking off so fast and creating many soars and lesions. They cover themselves in large cloaks to fight off the chills and hide their appearance.

Affected Groups

This disease usually affect those of advanced age who have come into contact with it repeatedly over the years. A strong immune system is able to fight off the infection, but older people with weakened immune system often show signs and symptoms. All reptilian, avian and mammalian humanoids are subject to possible infection, with reptilians being the most susceptible. Amphibian humanoids are usually more resistant due to their aquatic environment that constantly washes them off.

Hosts & Carriers

Any animal can carry the disease, especially rodents and lizards, but reptilian and mammalian humanoids are at risk for infection.

Prevention

The best prevention is to steer clear of the desert, stay healthy, keep the immune system running well, quickly clean and dress any open wounds, and avoid any contact with infected dust, dirt, rocks, mud, dung, and dead rodents and lizards.

Epidemiology

This condition is hard to transmit from person to person, but it can happen by coming into contact with infected blood or by dressing the infected wounds of others.

History

Cases of Pellis Fletus have been recorded and mentioned throughout time. Deserts, in particular the Pellis Desert, are the main harbingers of this disease and those who frequent them in their old age or weakened conditions often contract the disease.

Cultural Reception

In the beginning stages with early symptoms, reactions to the infected usually range from concern to avoidance. However with the advanced stages and more serious symptoms, people are usually afraid of the infected and take great care to avoid them and in some case, try to dive them out of the community entirely. Some of the more hysterical inhabitants claim that these shambling, linen wrapped people, are becoming or have become an undead Mummy.

Type

Bacterial

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare