Werewolf Parvovirus
It is believed that the parvovirus that specifically targets werewolves mutated from the canine form, not the human form, despite werewolves being human in form when infected. The disease targets werewolf children, none of whom have ever had their first full moon changing yet. Little is truly known about the science of the disease due to the lack of facilities where research can be safely conducted without threat from human discovery.
Transmission & Vectors
The virus is passed through direct contact between an infected individual and a non-infected individual. It can also be passed through contact with contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the parvovirus in werewolf children include:
- Fever
- Lack of energy
- Stomach pain and bloating
- Near constant vomiting
- Severe diarrhea that often becomes bloody
Treatment
There is no anti-viral medication to treat werewolf parvovirus at this time. The most effective course of treatment is to keep the patient drinking fluids, and to keep them comfortable. Children must be constantly reassured that they are doing just fine, especially if they soil their beds, which happens frequently. Twins who are both sick must be placed in separate rooms and if one twin succumbs to the virus, their twin must not be told until they recover, as being aware of this loss may cause the decline of both children. Over the counter anti-nausea medications may help to calm the stomach enough to allow the patient to take in fluids, but in a worst-case scenario, a family doctor should be called to administer subcutaneous fluids.
Prognosis
One in every four werewolf children who acquire werewolf parvovirus will die.
Sequela
Even after recovery, it is common for those who had werewolf parvovirus to continue to have sensitive stomachs or digestive issues throughout their lives.
Affected Groups
The virus has been seen in children as young as two years and as old as ten, but never older or younger.
Prevention
There is no vaccine for werewolf parvovirus at this time. Despite its evolution from the canine form of the virus, the canine vaccine does not provide any protection for werewolves. The best protection is the disinfecting of shared surfaces frequently, and practicing good hygiene.
Epidemiology
The virus presents itself as an epidemic at irregular intervals, with no explanation as to why it appears or disappears from the werewolf population.
History
The virus first began to appear in the 1970s, attacking a population that was already deeply declining due to human migration in areas once dominated by werewolves.
Cultural Reception
It is common for twins to both contract the virus at the same time. Sometimes, both twins either die or recover, but sometimes the virus takes one of the twins and leaves the other. In this case, the remaining twin is often called a "parvo twin" and is the subject of extra care and attention in an attempt to ease the pain of the loss of their twin. They typically also engage in therapy to handle the loss later in life.
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