Sulphur Lung

A disease caused by breathing in Sulphur.

Sulphur lung is a disease in which prolonged exposure to sulphuric atmospheres damages a persons lungs and airway. The disease also damages other parts of the body, such as the immune system, circulatory system, nervous system and reproductive system. The disease is mostly incurable, but can sometimes be got rid of via transplants, however there will likely still be some damage.

Transmission & Vectors

The disease can be transmitted from parents to their children via breastfeeding.

Causes

The disease is often contracted by people who have lived for most of their life on planets or moons with a high sulphur dioxide content in the atmosphere. It can also be caused when a parent with the disease breastfeeds their baby, and on rare cases parents at risk may pass on the disease without having it themselves.

Symptoms

Most of the affects are concentrated on the persons lungs, such as coughing, wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath and bronchospasms. The disease also damages a persons immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, eyesight, hearing, liver, kidney, stomach, metabolism, hormone level and heart and as it progresses will eventually lead to lung immobilisation and suffocation. People have also noted that those with the condition seem to suffer neurological effects and behavoural changes due to damage caused to the veins in the brain, sometimes leading to brain damage.

Treatment

Transplants can be used to get rid of damaged organs, however there will likely still be some effects of the disease present. Other treatments can be used to slow its progress down.

Prognosis

The condition is fatal and affects a persons ability to excersise

Sequela

After contracting sulphur lung people with asthma will find they have more asthma attacks than before.

Affected Groups

People with asthma, emphysema, bronchitis or other similar conditions are at higher risk and experience worse effects

Prevention

Wearing gas masks when exposed to high levels of sulphur dioxide can help prevent the disease.

Epidemiology

Roughly 200000 cases are reported a year, the majority of which are from members of the Ionian population

Type

Chemical Compound

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Rare