Pixie Pox

Day...three I think?
It's getting much harder to write. I do not think I will make it home. The blisters make it hard to hold this blasted pen and by the divines, the wretched noise in my ears won't stop! To whoever finds this journal, I have a spouse in Chadizi. Their name's Cristen Hubart. Please tell them I love them so much and tried really hard to return to them. My lungs rattle as I struggle to stay conscious. I must at least drag myself to an area where someone may find me. This trip was a mistake.

— A crumpled page torn from a journal of an unfortunate adventurer in the Feywild.

Venture too far into the Feywild and you might suffer a bite that's barely noticeable at first, but turns out super nasty later. Carried by a few species of pixie, this virus is hard to recover from and is a painful, unpleasant experience. There is a cure, but many do not live long enough to receive it in time.

Stages and Symptoms

One

• The first two days after becoming symptomatic
• Flushing and excessive sweating
• A faint ringing in the ears
• Dizziness
• Sore muscles
• Itchy skin

Two

• Days 3 and 4
• Fever
• Pustules start forming on the skin
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Excessive, loud ringing in the ears mixed with the sound of random giggling

Three

• Late stages until recovery or more often than not, death
• Pustules break open and weep excessively
• Delirium
• Uncontrollable shaking
• Hallucinations
• Loss of consciousness

Treatments

There were no guaranteed treatments that had high prospects for nearly a hundred years since its discovery. In the beginning, the most that could be done was palliative care. In a majority of cases, it only helped ease the person on to the next life. The few who survived during these times were always strong young adults or those who were naturally or magically resistant to disease.
After extensive research, viruses in general were better understood. A solid treatment plan was created by the studious elven cleric Yeslynn Olorel in the year 270. She identified the exact virus responsible and discovered what species carried it. After a year of testing, a potent antiviral was created. It turned out to be helpful in other strains of pox as well. This medication was refined over the years and gives the highest survival rates when administered as quickly as possible.
Not much treatment is needed during the incubation period and stage one. Many survive just fine with little to no lingering effects after taking the antiviral regiment. Symptomatic patients in stage one may need fluids and bedrest as well. It will vary from case to case as effect strength differs among patients during the early stage. These patients still need to be monitored for adverse reactions and worsening symptoms. Quarantine does not typically happen during these stages as long as there are no open wounds and the individual is alert.
Stage two requires stronger doses of medication and a more aggressive treatment plan. Many are hospitalized at this stage and all are quarantined by this point. IV fluids and fever medications are given. Skin integrity is important and various creams are used depending on how bad the pustules are by that point. If medicine is given soon enough, they do not develop into sores and eventually shrink and fade away as the patient recovers. Nothing can be done about the excessive noise that can be heard. Research is still being done to properly treat that symptom as it can really hinder recovery from the extra stress.
Very little can be done during stage three. Antivirals are still given on the rare chance the patient can be saved. At this point, they are kept as comfortable and pain free as possible. It is difficult to fend off other infections once the pustules break. Sedatives or other calming agents/methods may be given if the person is too agitated or thrashing about from the noise or pain.

Type

Viral

Discovered: 176
Incubation: 4 days

Transmission

This virus is transmitted through the bite of certain pixies native to the Feywild. Bramble, ice, and noxious pixies are carriers of the virus. They are immune and can easily spread it to susceptible humanoid species. Bites are typically received from confrontations with the pixies or intentionally given to sleeping travelers who've intruded on their territory. Due to the remoteness of their usual habitats, it can be hard to receive proper medical attention before succumbing to the pox. It can also be spread from person to person via contact with blood or fluids from open sores. It is not air or water borne.

Survival Rates

Early detection and quick action are key to surviving the virus. As soon as someone notices and / or realizes they were bitten by the carrier species, it is of upmost importance that they seek medical attention right away. With new treatments and advanced medical knowledge, survival is as high as 95% if the individual is treated immediately or before the incubation period ends. Stage one survival drops to 70% while the rate for surviving stage two is only 48%. Very few people live once they've entered stage three. It is 99% fatal by that point if treatment is not administered or there are no signs of improvement after receiving aid. 

In Game Mechs

If a player is successfully bitten by creatures that carry this disease, they must succeed on a DC17 con save. On a fail they contract Pixie Pox and will go through the stages detailed in the article. There are two methods of surviving. The player can either use greater restoration or get treated with medication from an npc. If they are not healed by day seven after the incubation period ends, the player drops to 0hp and dies.