Mire Sickness

A common sickness in swampy regions of Galactus, Mire sickness affects mammalian folk who come into contact with the bacteria's carrier organisms.

Creatures of the Mire

Mire sickness is carried by several organisms originating in swamps and marshes. Many of these carriers are not themselves affected by the disease, as it only affects mammalian species. The bacteria thrives on wetland trees, especially swamp cypress, feeding off damp wood fibers. Lizard- or frogfolk who use such wood for shelter, fires, or tools can come into contact with the Mire bacteria, which transfer to the folk and congregate in the gaps between scales or around the contours of frogfolk skin. Mire bacteria does little, if any, harm to such carriers.

Warm Blood

When passed to mammalian creatures by various means, however, Mire bacteria becomes more aggressive. It reproduces more easily in warm areas, and warm-blooded mammals produce a lot of heat. Mire bacteria travels into its target's bloodstream, either through open wounds or by way of mouth, nose, or eyes. In the bloodstream, it multiplies and triggers the immune system's reaction.

A Lasting Sickness

Mire sickness is extended, and may take several weeks to completely flush from a system without medical intervention. Rarely fatal, it does little damage to the host body. In efforts to destroy the infection, the body's immune system runs through a series of defensive responses. Mire sickness begins with cold-like symptoms, such as coughing or sneezing. The coughing becomes increasingly worse, however, and is soon accompanied by high fever and insatiable thirst. After several days of fever, the affected folk begins to experience increasingly intense hallucinations. Often, one affected by Mire sickness will go through several periods of hysterical mood swings, from absolute terror to total euphoria and every extreme in between. After a time, the hallucinations fade and the fever breaks, the affected folk returning to a more normal state as the bacteria are finally eliminated.

Treatment

The only reliable cure for Mire sickness is through magical means, as the bacteria itself doesn't respond to any medicine. It is possible to lessen the effects of the symptoms, however, and many affected folk are given a mixture of herbs designed to soothe the mind and reduce fever, making them as comfortable as possible while the disease runs its course.