The plague

This disease wiped out a considerable amount of the older population of the chiefdoms in 310 Ctr and it still seems to linger in a weaker form that is commonly known as the coughing sickness.
However from what I can understand, this couching sickness is in no way similar to the plague, but is in fact two different illnesses.
One is a trouble of the lungs that predisposes people to catching other illnesses, and makes them much more likely to be fatal. The other is a weaker cough passed on through contact that may prove fatal to the elderly, the very young, and the exceptionally weak, but hardly affects the rest of the population.

Transmission & Vectors

The plague is passed on by vermin. Like your typical plague.

Causes

People in superb health are generally resistant to this plague. It kills off the weakest first. It starts in filthy conditions where refuse is not taken care of properly, but can spread among any group of people, unless they have found a way to keep all pests from their homes.

Symptoms

Firstly coughing, then swelling , rashes, and fever. In the later stages, hair falls out, and everything stinks. The victim, also loses all appetite, which is said to be due to all food tasting like mud, rather than from having stomach issues. I think it's likely to be both.

Treatment

The first step is to get the person somewhere clean. This is frequently impossible. Then the person is quarantined. They are kept warm, and if hot water can be afforded, they are bathed often. It is said eating onions can help alleviate the symptoms, or even cure them, but as the people are barely able to think of eating food, it is not likely to be effective.

Prognosis

They usually die. If they can be made to eat, and are given the right medicinal substances (no one agrees on wha tthey are), there's a slight chance they'll pull through.

Prevention

They say wearing and eating pepper and onions. It'll probably work better than eating them after you catch it.

History

The biggest outbreak was from 305 to 310, and claimed the live of several thousand including the Highchief of Verlis and his oldest son. It left many people without grandparents.

Type

Viral

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Rare