Fiendish Infection

Causes

Many a would be demon-hunter has fallen afoul of this malady. The Fiendish Infection occurs when the blood of a demon, devil or other being of a lower plane mingles with the blood of mortal creatures. Unlike when these creatures cross-breed, if blood from a fiend falls upon the open wound of a mortal creature (human, dwarf or other animal) it mingles poorly and can cause a terrible sickness. Even if the symptoms are minor, the effects can be lingering and possibly long-term.

As the cause of the disease is demon blood getting into the wound, many priests, monks, clerics and holy men wield blunt weapons to battle the unholy forces. This minimizes the chance of blood spraying into their own wounds.

Symptoms

The most recognisable effects of Fiendish Infection are high fevers, potential hallucinations and speaking in tongues. The fever will build over the course of a day and if it is not resisted or cured will reach an apogee after one week.

Hallucinations will occur once the fever reaches the mind and it is unknown whether the hallucinations and the wild mutterings are specific to the demon that spawned them or simply the effects of sickness upon the body.

Should the person succesfully resist, they might break the effect early but

Treatment

Most holy practitioners have some form of ritual ceremony for driving out demons. Even if not performed by a holy man, these rituals have the potential to assist in driving out the fiendish influence.

Holy water has proven effective at alleviating symptoms and curing the infection. Apply externally to handle symptoms. Apply internally for healing.

Should this prove insufficient there are spells such as Lesser or Greater Restoration, depending on the power of the Fiend that must be expelled.

Otherwise treatment should be as for someone experiencing a high fever. Cool them down, provide plenty of fluids and keep them from hurting themselves or others.

Prognosis

The common man has a twenty-five percent chance of survival.

A woman afflicted with the malady has a sixty-five percent chance of survival.

The chances are much the same for anyone within the ages of three to thirty five, and then steadily decline.

Children that have not yet taken their first steps have a hundred percent chance of survival.

This is obviously varied depending on the conditions of the people involved.

Sequela

People who have been touched by demon blood and recovered may be marked in some way. It is most noticable in the extremely young but even older infectees might have changes in their skin-tone, the growth of claws or the appearance of horns upon their head. This is less common (but not unknown) in people who received treatment, such as those restored by external forces.

Even if they are not visibly changed the appearances may be notable in their offspring. Many such offspring have an affinity for magic but also draw the attention of fiendish forces. Often they are tempted by deals and promises of power or companionship, which may be made more tempting should the child be ostracized from their community (through no fault of their own).

Prevention

The main method of prevention is to not get demon blood on you. Next to that is cleaning it off quickly, preferably with holy water, and potentially saying a prayer (although anti-religious people will be quick to point out there's no proof it helps).

Long term side effects can be mitigated/prevented with prayers, meditation and blessings.

As for preventing it affecting offspring... abstinence is the most effective treatment but otherwise dipping the child in holy water shortly after birth seems to do the trick.

Cultural Reception

Despite this condition often being caused by people actively battling demons, devils and daedra, people often mistake the afflicted with those that have made bargains with such. As such, they can be ostracized and often insulted which can lead to aggressive action which reinforces that belief. Unfortunately it is difficult to educate people on the matter.

Type

Magical

Origin

Magical