Cloud Lung
Cloud lung is a gruesome condition that affects creatures (usually dwarves) who work in a Cloudiron mine or smelt.
Transmission & Vectors
Cloud lung is acquired from small metal particles that float in the air when cloudiron is being manipulated. Breathing in a little bit is not harmful, injury happens with repeated exposure.
Symptoms
Symptoms can take years to develop and often develop very slowly.
Stage 1
Symptoms start with a cough and shortness of breath, occasionally this cough with bring up a metallic mucus. This stage is not fatal. Most dwarves can live full lives with small modifications- less physical activity.
Stage 2
The cough and shortness of breath get more severe, coughing fits are frequently debilitating. At this time there is scaring in the lungs and if severe enough it can prevent oxygen from getting to vital organs including the brain. This stage is sometimes fatal and often debilitating to quality of life.
Stage 3
The end stage, cloudiron particles are the same density as air, lighter than bodily fluids. Minuscule particles work their way out of the lungs, leaving additional scarring, and into the rest of the body. Movement of these particles is alway out, towards the surface of the body. This stage is fatal.
Stage 1
Symptoms start with a cough and shortness of breath, occasionally this cough with bring up a metallic mucus. This stage is not fatal. Most dwarves can live full lives with small modifications- less physical activity.
Stage 2
The cough and shortness of breath get more severe, coughing fits are frequently debilitating. At this time there is scaring in the lungs and if severe enough it can prevent oxygen from getting to vital organs including the brain. This stage is sometimes fatal and often debilitating to quality of life.
Stage 3
The end stage, cloudiron particles are the same density as air, lighter than bodily fluids. Minuscule particles work their way out of the lungs, leaving additional scarring, and into the rest of the body. Movement of these particles is alway out, towards the surface of the body. This stage is fatal.
Treatment
There are some magical cures but they mostly delay the inevitable. Medical professionals have not yet figured out how to either remove the cloudiron particles from the body or prevent them from moving out of the lungs.
Prevention
This disease is prevented by wearing personal protective equipment. Miners and smelt workers should always wear filters that cover their nose and mouth, keep workspaces clean, and take a shower immediately after they finish working with cloudiron.
History
Cloud lung made an appearance shortly after Cloudiron was discovered. It took scientists and medical professionals a few years to link the symptoms with the cause. This effort involved in-depth interviews with patients that detailed lifetime habits and work history. Once the link was made, dwarves made changes to the way they protect themselves while working with the material. This has greatly reduced the yearly case numbers.
Type
Chemical Compound
Origin
Natural
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired
Rarity
Uncommon
Affected Species
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