The serpent’s curse
Transmission & Vectors
The illness is passed between people through close contact so in the crowded streets of cities it spreads rapidly.
Causes
The illness is spread by bacteria brought on ships from over the ocean.
Symptoms
In it's initial stages, the illness causes a severe cough and high temperature, sometimes accompanied by vomiting.
After a few days the victim will start to hallucinate and is unaware of the world around them.
As the disease progresses they will suffer severe pain all over their bodies which survivors often describe as feeling like every bone in their bodies has been shattered.
As the disease enters its final, fatal stage the mucus membranes break down and they bleed from their nose and mouth. Death will come a few days after this begins.
After a few days the victim will start to hallucinate and is unaware of the world around them.
As the disease progresses they will suffer severe pain all over their bodies which survivors often describe as feeling like every bone in their bodies has been shattered.
As the disease enters its final, fatal stage the mucus membranes break down and they bleed from their nose and mouth. Death will come a few days after this begins.
Treatment
Their is no known treatment for the disease, instead doctors focus on keeping the patient comfortable while they wait to see how the disease progresses.
Prognosis
About 80% of sufferers will die within two weeks, if the disease reaches the final stage with bleeding then death is certain within two days.
Sequela
Survivors of the illness are often extremely weak for many weeks or even months after. Other complications include pain in one or more limbs for the rest of their lives, usually becoming more severe when they have another illness.
Prevention
To prevent the spread of the disease, citizens councils will introduce a quarantine of affected areas. Those suffering from the disease are confined to their homes or to specialist hospitals to contain the spread.
Individual prevention often takes the form of isolating at home. Magical amulets are also common at times of an outbreak but these are useless.
Individual prevention often takes the form of isolating at home. Magical amulets are also common at times of an outbreak but these are useless.
Epidemiology
The disease spreads rapidly in confined quarters and often enters cities through trade routes and the docks.
When it enters a city it tears through the population at a ferocious rate, indiscriminately killing rich and poor however it spreads particularly quickly in crowded slum areas in the major cities.
When it enters a city it tears through the population at a ferocious rate, indiscriminately killing rich and poor however it spreads particularly quickly in crowded slum areas in the major cities.
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