Rust Lungs

Transmission & Vectors

Transmitted through prolonged physical contact, often during fights, breeding or childhood. Humanoids are not contagious, unless a rust monster is in close proximity. This rust monster do not need to be infected.

Causes

The cause is an amoeba which has a high consumption of oxidated metals. It will eat any metals in its proximity, starting with readily available ones but drawing nutrients from cells if starved.

Symptoms

For rust monsters

• Enhanced metabolism.
• Increased body heat.
• Increased food consumption.
• When well fed, increased resilience to diseases and wounds.
• When starved, death comes a lot quicker and more painfully so.

For humanoids

Although rare, the infection has been observed on soldiers, scavengers and garbage collectors often enough to figure out some common traits. Recently, the hypothesis was made that, since rust monsters can live with the pathogen without dying, patients should stay close to rust monsters to live a little longer. Here is a list of "commonly" observed symptoms:

• Significantly impaired breathing.
• Reduced renal function.
• Reduced hepatic function.
• Acute sideropenia with the following sub-symptoms:
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• Anemia.
• Fatigue.
• Dizziness.
• Hair loss.
• Weakness.
• Acute hypocupremia with the following sub-symptoms:
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• Anemia.
• Weakness.
• Reaction weakness.
• Acute zinc deficiency with the following sub-symptoms:
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• Acne.
• Numerous ulcers.
• Sensing impairment.
• Diarrhea.
• Acute magnesium deficiency with the following sub-symptoms:
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• Weakness.
• Fatigue.
• More frequent cramps.
• Heart palpitation.
• Migraines.
• Seizures
• Acute hyponatremia with the following sub-symptoms:
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• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Headache.
• Short-term memory loss.
• Confusion.
• Lethargy.
• Fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.
• Irritability.
• Muscle weakness.
• Spasms and cramps.
• Seizures.
• Acute hypokalemia with the following sub-symptoms:
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• High blood pressure.
• Muscle weakness, myalgia and cramps.
• Constipation.
• Paralysis.
• Hyporeflexia.

Late stages of the disease have chunks of skin appear rusty and metallic.

Treatment

The only known treatment was healing magic, notably a lesser restoration spell cast by a powerful healer. Two castings or more are recommended, one to remove the parasite and the other to heal all damaged tissues. The need for two castings comes from the generalised nature of the disease.

Prognosis

If treatment is not administered, death is the only possible outcome for a humanoids. The disease is not a problem for rust monsters as long as nourishment is available.

Sequela

If only one casting of lesser restoration was made, the patient would suffer from the metal deficiencies for at least 3 months after the casting, its hepatic function would take a year to recover and its lungs, kidneys and nerves would be damaged beyond natural repair and would only recover 10% of their function without help.

Prevention

Applying anti-septic salves on anything that touched a rust monster is the only known, non-magical way of preventing contamination. The amoeba could live up to 10 minutes on non-metallic surfaces, up to 1 day on non-rusted metallic substances and up to 3 days on rusted metallic substances.

Epidemiology

About 40% of the rust monsters's population is infected by the rust lungs.
Because of its nutritional needs, it won't be able to infect a humanoid unless a rust monster is nearby. Even in this situation, it is a lot less infectious than when residing in a rust monster. This limits greatly its spread in the population.

Cultural Reception

Most of the time, the populace tends to avoid people affected by rust lungs. Doctors with knowledge on the disease will often come from great distances to see a patient, because the rarity of the disease and the speed at which it kills make patients very rare.

Type

Parasitic

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare

Affected Species

• Rust Monsters
• Humanoids