Pox / Red Pox

Not a good shroom trip

Patient died earlier this evening. Assumed asphyxiation from swollen throat and inflamed lungs. Body will be burned to prevent spread, gloves will be used to prepare body for burial as according to the divine rites. --Log of a surgeon in Redwater Port

These islands have different diseases than Jestoania. I saw a town besieged by what they call the 'pox', sometimes the 'red pox'. The bodies of those afflicted are unrecognizable as human, blistering sores covering twisted flesh. The eyes bleed, the throat closes up, and death is nearly always the outcome. It is horrific. I have been instructed to keep my distance from those diseased, and to cover my face when in the area. They have determined that it is contact with the body that spreads it, and this has made it nearly impossible to set the dead to rest properly. I have been told that this is one of the worst years to date, and I sincerely hope this is true. --Excerpt from a letter from Selma Barboza, commander of the Pheaceton army in Brosha to Amelia Barboza, apothecary in Jestoania

Transmission & Vectors

Contact with infected fluids produced from victims.

Causes

A specific type of fungus in parts of the Broshan wetlands. During two months of the summer, the fungus sends off spores that, if inhaled, consumed or get into wounds, causes the violent toxic reaction as the spores destroy the lungs, skin and cardiovascular system.

Symptoms

It begins with a cough. From there it progresses quickly into a rash on the throat and hands, quickly spreading into fever and hallucinations. After that the only option is to wait and see if the body will survive or if it will die. The latter is normally what happens.--Excerpt from a doctor's observations

Stages

Directly after exposure to the spores, a rash where they come into contact with the skin manifests. If inhaled, the rash begins in the throat and produces a violent cough. During this, if the infected regions are flushed with water, the spores may be unable to continue attacking the body, or give the person a milder, more survivable case of the pox.

The next stage is the spores reaching the lungs unless already inhaled. At this point the cough begins to grow worse, blood and tissue often coming up through the mouth and nose as the spores eat the lungs. At this stage the pox is most contagious, and patients are often exiled to impromptu sick colonies on the outskirts of settlements and the water's edge.

From here, the spores move through the veins to the heart and brain. At this point, the spores begin to break down cartilage and veins, causing internal bleeding. The damage to the brain causes hallucinations and fever as the body tries to heal itself. At this stage, the only thing left to do is pray; whether for surviving the pox, and being left with a lifetime of medical issues-- or a quick death.

Prognosis

Death is the most likely course. In the extremely rare cases of survival, the body is weakened and the lungs no longer work properly.

Prevention

Gloves when handling sick and dead, avoiding contact with infected.

Epidemiology

During the hotter summer months, it spreads quickly, specifically during the month of Plagues. The fungus that causes it is blooming at that point. It spreads first to people working on the water who venture too close to where the fungus is. Afterward it travels through contact with others, almost randomly in who it infects. --notes from an Aquimore merchant

History

The Brosha-specific disease has been around as long as the islands have been settled. Research into it has determined the pox is most likely caused by a fungus whose spores release into the water and air at certain times of year.

Cultural Reception

The people here live in fear from the pox, as they call it. Parts of the oceans are banned, lest the spores from the fungus causing this plague be spread. Someone always brings it back, though. Often soldiers, ignoring warnings and stomping right into the dangerous areas. They go fast, too, something about us northerners just makes it rip us apart. If the infected aren't thrown into the ocean first. People wear talismans, carry bags of herbs, pray to old forgotten spirits for protection as the month grows closer. Patterns change, people put more space in between each other. It's the hottest month of the year and people dress like its Sylene winter. It helps, though death from the heat goes up instead. The sick, they're shunted away to the edges of town. Others will go deliver food, wearing those plague masks and coats. The sick and dying are still treated with respect, even those who brought the pox back. Its because everyone knows each other here, or at least knows someone who knows someone. Then they die, and they're wrapped in oil-drenched cloth and burned. It kills the spores apparently, fire does. So they don't fear getting sick from the pyres. --correspondence from an Estrean sailor to family

Type

Fungal

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Common

Affected Species

• Human