Erosive thraven—disease
About erosive thraven
Erosive thraven is a viral infection that mainly affects mucous glands and cells. It often leads to painful ulcers, and sometimes more serious symptoms, like disfigurement and blindness. Erosive thraven is non-infectious.Affected areas can include the:
- eyes
- mouth (oral erosive thraven)
- nasal passages
- stomach and intestines
- genitalia (in humans)
Transmission & Vectors
Transmitted through contaminated water via direct contact to the eyes, mouth, mucous membranes, or by ingesting contaminated water.
Causes
Erosive thraven is caused by a lichen virus commonly found in the water of caves or underground lakes and rivers on Chellok. The virus gets its name because of its symbiotic relationship with bacteria, single-celled organisms, and microscopic multicellular organisms also commonly found in these waters. The lichen virus performs similar functions to organelles within human cells, but transmits chemical and electrical signals between different cells and species as it moves from host to host.
Symptoms
The symptoms of erosive thraven vary, depending on which area of the body is affected.
Erosive thraven of the eyes
- a white-grey pattern on the lens
- corneal ulcers
- dry eye
- hard crusty mucus
- loss of vision
Erosive thraven of the mouth and nose
- a white-grey pattern on the tongue and inner cheeks
- mouth ulcers
- dry mouth
- dry nose
Erosive thraven of the digestive tract
- stomach and intestinal ulcers and bleeding
- painful indegestion
- unfettered geris (diarrhea)
- infection
Erosive thraven of the genitalia in humans
- grey or white streaks covering the vulva
- grey or white stripes on the glans
- soreness, dryness, burning, and rawness of the skin
- sexual intercourse is painful
- scar tissue can form, disfiguring the shape of the penis or vagina
- white discharge, usually bloody
Treatment
There is no cure for erosive thraven, so treatments aim to ease the symptoms and help the body heal the inflammation and ulcers. If left untreated, the lichen virus will continue to spread throughout the body and overwhelm the immune system's response.
Prevention
Erosive thraven is easily prevented by not ingesting or coming into direct contact with untreated water from underground sources. The disease is not transmissible, so most cases come from drinking well water or spelunkers.
"Don't want the thrave? Then stay out the cave!"—Thorpey Jizzum, epidemiologist
History
Erosive thraven was encounted soon after the Sugran arrived on Chellok and took refuge in Uaba Cave (see Myth of Uaba the Light Eater) in 204 SE.
Cultural Reception
Erosive thraven is greatly feared in Sugran cultures and is often referenced in parables written about their species' readjustment to planetary-based life.
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