Contramort-Associated Illness

This page is about the condition caused by Contramort. If you're looking for information about the virus itself, see Contramort-Associated Illness. If you're looking for information about the morphology and culture of those infected with the disease, see cachaemites.
CAI, often pronounced as "kai," is the illness associated with infection with Contramort's viral component. Such infection could be intentional (taking Contramort as prescribed) or accidental (catching the virus through blood-to-blood contact).
There are two main strains of CAI -- the early strain and the improved strain. Some of those infected with the early strain are able to brainblank others, however, doing so puts them at the risk of autophytophotodermatisis (see below). Those infected with the improved strain do not secrete furocoumarins, therefore do not get autophytophotodermatisis, do not have the ability to brainblank, and cannot secrete anticoagulants.

Transmission & Vectors

CAI can be spread by coming into contact with the viral component of Contramort. A relatively high viral load is needed for infection; for that reason, CAI is relatively rare as most contact with the virus will not result in infection.

Symptoms

The most obvious sign of CAI is dermatological issues, most notably vitiligo and resulting sun sensitivity. However sun sensitivity can also occur as a result of what is now called autophytophotodermatisis, a form of phytophotodermatisis that can occur without contact with planets.
The mechanism of autophytophotodermatisis is relatively simple. People with CAI sometimes secrete furanocoumarins, which were purposely engineered into Contramort as a signal that successful infection took place. When those chemical compounds react with sunlight, blistering, red skin, and swelling can occur. Eventually the wound turns to hyperpigmentation
In high enough concentrations, some of these furanocoumarins can react with other indicator chemicals and sweat to form a volatile chemical compound that, if inhaled by non-Contramort infected, temporarily impairs memory function and can even cause loss of consciousness. It does not affect cachaemites; memory loss was recognized as a side effect during the development of Contramort and therefore CAI have an enzyme that breaks down this compound before it can affect them. This is called a brainblank.

Hosts & Carriers

Rodents and primates are capable of being infected. It cannot infected cold-blood animals and does not seem capable of infecting birds, dogs, or felines.

History

The improved strain was developed in response to widespread fears that cachaemites were capable of knocking out non-cachaemites with ease in order to take advantage of them.

Type

Viral

Children

• keratin overgrowth

Origin

Engineered

Rarity

Rare

Affected Species

• jiangshi
• cachaemites
• trifected