Shade Vein
Causes
The most common causes of transmission are when a Shadow enters the bloodstream, either through a bite, scratch, stab, or other method. This brings their blood in direct contact with the radiation emitted by the Shadows, infecting them. Alternatively, a shadow can be inhaled by being in a breeding ground without a proper breathing apparatus, where it will then enter the bloodstream through the lungs. Prolonged exposure to the radiation emitted by a Shadow's shell can also lead to shade vein, but is more likely to cause simple radiation poisoning instead.
Prognosis
Depending on how a person contracts shade vein, there are two courses that the condition can take. Type A is when a person is infected via a wound. Type B is via inhalation.
If the person contracts type A, they will begin to experience necrosis after about 2-3 weeks, starting from the point of infection. After a week of this, the infected person will either continue to decay until they die, or begin to experience hallucinations and hear sounds that aren't there. A day after these begin, the infected begins transforming into a wraith; they begin emitting the same radiation as Shadows, and whatever skin the have starts hardening into a black carapace, much like that of Shadows. The process is excruciatingly painful, and they experience more and more hallucinations as they begin to become part of the Shadow Hive Consciousness. The only course is to kill them or let them become a wraith.
If the person contracts type B, however, the Shadow will immediately begin transforming the host's body into a shell for it to occupy. This takes much less time, about a week. The only way to kill the Shadow would be to flood the infected person's blood vessels with UV radiation, but there are very few species that can survive such a process and contract shade vein.
Prevention
There are several ways to prevent shade vein. Energy shielding is one of the most effective, as it will stop an attacking Shadow before it touches any physical armor you may be wearing. However a continued assault on your shield will cause it to quickly run out of power, leaving you vulnerable. Physical armor is also somewhat effective, but a Shadow's shell has very sharp claws and teeth, and can shred apart even the most durable materials. To prevent breathing in a Shadow, simply wearing a Shadow grade breathing apparatus can be enough. If handling the remains of Shadows, wearing even a civilian grade radiation suit will protect you.
Cultural Reception
People who contract are doomed to die, either literally or figuratively. They are often viewed with pity, and in some cultures the citizens will kill a person if they have shade vein. In others, the infected's final days are made to be more peaceful and enjoyable, as they die an agonizing death. People who are infected will sometimes give their bodies to science, to develop new ways to fight Shadows.
Type
Physiological
Origin
Alien
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
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