Island Fever

The fogs have come, heavy this season, and the worry begins. Will we see the fever again? How many will get it? What if it's really bad? Will my daddy die this time? He almost did the last fog.
Island Fever is a ailment that afflicts the inhabitants of Egg Island whenever there is a long season of fog. They dread its arrival, it adds distress to an already gloomy time, and can be a major disruption in both the lives of the afflicted as well as their family, friends and fellow workers.
The best the islanders could hope for was a short fog season and adequate supplies of things to make the sufferers comfortable. It became hard to get them to eat or drink, they just had no energy and no appetite. Combining that with an already weakened constitution, and it was possible for many of the elderly or otherwise sick to succumb to the fever.
One year, while Dewi was on the island, the fogs rolled in. He had not been there during a previous fog and was fascinated - at first. Then he saw the fever arrive, the worry grow and the building concern. He heard many stories of previous fogs and the lives they took, he listened to the anxious families, and visited the ailing to provide a bit of brightness with his music and stories. All of that helped.
Once the villagers found him drinking an odd concoction, a frothy blend of cream and egg yolks, whipped along with honey. His upper lip was coated with the stuff and he had a smile of pleasure on his face.  He took the jug with the remainder of the drink and shared it with some of those sick with the fever. Even those who had no appetite, found they enjoyed the rich beverage.  Families asked to learn how to make it and Dewi was certainly willing to explain the methods and ingredients.
It was only much later that someone connected this mysterious drink with the rapid improvement in the Fever victims. By then it had become a standard drink, a cheery concoction during the grey days when the fogs seemed destined to stay. Dewi had given it no name but the Islanders called it Sweet Kiss

Causes

During certain seasons of the year, heavy fogs roll in from the ocean and blanket much of Egg Island. The most common season is late winter, but these fogs can also occur at any season. When the fogs persist, the fever erupts.

Symptoms

A pronounced lack of energy and appetite is often the first symptom, followed  by high fever, coughing and tremors. Hair may begin to fall out in patches.  In extreme circumstances, death can result.

Treatment

Historically, the only option was to wait it out. Those infected, would either persist with the symptoms or begin to recover. Once the fogs lifted, recovery was almost certain, but if the fogs remained, it could be  a long haul. 
Later it was discovered that drinking a beverage made of egg yolks and cream, spiced with the flavors of your choice, improved the condition of the sufferers greatly. If consumed several times a day, the patient could be cured in a matter of days.

Prognosis

Death occurs rarely, but it is known to happen, especially among the elderly, or those already weak.

Sequela

Most will recover after the fogs disappear, but they may continue to lack energy or strength and some never do have their hair grow back.

Affected Groups

All individuals can be affected by this fever, but the elderly are at most risk.

Hosts & Carriers

Not contagious in the true sense, but those around a person who has the fever, may find themselves with the symptoms as well although they have not 'caught' it from the sick individual.

History

So long as there have been seasonal fogs on Egg Island there has been Island Fever.

Cultural Reception

People worry when the fogs roll in, wondering if the fever will as well. They can't predict when or if they'll see the disease that season.

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Type

Physiological

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Common