Malady - Frostflesh

Frostflesh (Snowflaking,Fridgidating)

Type: Viral

Location: Auroria

Signs and Symptoms

Early stage symptoms (Stage 1) of Frostflesh include

Scales or skin taking on a light blue hue
Uncharacteristic stiffness or bristling of fur
Mild sensitivity to major sources of heat
Mild coughing and sneezing

Middle stage symptoms (Stage 2) of Frostflesh include

Moderate coughing and sneezing, expelling cold water during
Sensitivity to sources of warmth, such as layered clothing
Stiffness of limbs and other extremities

Late stage symptoms (Stage 3) of Frostflesh include

Individual's affinity removed and replaced with Ice affinity
Rigor-mortis-like stiffness in limbs and extremities
Pain when exposed to heat
Feeling of being mildly chilled, despite actual temperature
Physically numb throughout entire body
Coughing and sneezing, expelling ice crystals and large snowflakes during

Final stage symptoms (Stage 4) of Frostflesh include

Cold-sleep state, individual unresponsive to all stimuli
Near-zero brain activity
Constant exhalation of large snowflakes
Skin, scales and fur taking on a dark blue hue
Extreme natural longevity

Diagnosis

Frostflesh is easy to detect in non-furred individuals by the characteristic light blue hue always present in stage 1 of the disease. Furred individuals may either pay attention to the stiffness of their coat, or shave a small patch of fur down to the skin to check for a light blue hue. The other symptoms of stage 1 Frostflesh are easily confused with the common cold or frostbite, so always look for the blue discoloration.

In individuals where a light blue hue is natural, refer to the treatment section for stages 1 and 2, found later in this document.

Transmission

Frostflesh exists in the wilds of Auroria, and is carried by various small vermin. Individuals acquire Frostflesh by eating food or drinking water contaminated by these vermin. Individuals in stages 3 or 4 or Frostflesh transmit the virus through the snowflakes they exhale; these snowflakes are containers for the virus and will contaminate surfaces they come in contact with.

Risk of Exposure

Individuals traveling through the wilds of Auroria, or through places in Auroria not kept clean and sanitary are at risk of contracting Frostflesh via tainted food or water. Individuals traveling with or being near someone in stages 3 or 4 of Frostflesh are especially at risk, as stage 3 and 4 individuals constantly fill the air with airborne viral snowflakes.

Prevention

In the wild or where sanitation is dubious: sanitize all surfaces with alcohol or a 2% bleach solution. Remove all entryways for vermin. Cook all food and heat all water to at least 140 degrees fahrenheit, as this temperature and anything above it kills the virus. If you suspect you may have touched a contaminated object: remove the object and incinerate, if possible. Thoroughly soak yourself in a 2% bleach solution. Rinse yourself off with safe water afterward.

If traveling with or near a stage 3 or 4 individual: wear a protective breathing mask at all times. Wear disposable, full-body coveralls with an outer layer of plastic. Wear disposable rubber gloves. Do not touch your face. After each interaction with the infected, burn all clothing, masks and gloves that were worn around the infected, then immerse yourself in a 2% bleach solution and rinse with safe water afterward.

Treatment

Frostflesh is a very fragile virus, and cannot tolerate high temperatures, any amount of alcohol, bleach or elixall.

Stage 1: Barring elixall, raising the body's BAC (blood alcohol concentration) is the most effective treatment at this stage. Raising the body's BAC as high as non-lethally possible is more than enough to kill the virus. Frostflesh cannot survive where the BAC is naturally high, such as in Glee Satyrs, or where the internal body temperature is over 140 fahrenheit, such as in Blastamanders.

Stage 2: See Stage 1 treatment.

Stage 3: Do not imbibe alcohol. At this stage, the virus has become strong enough to freeze alcohol it as it enters the throat, rendering it useless as a remedy and turning it into a potentially lethal airway obstruction. The body's temperature must instead be raised to 140 fahrenheit, but as this usually kills the individual, the method must be performed by a highly skilled magical doctor - preferably one with a Fire affinity.

Stage 4: See Stage 3 treatment.

Prognosis

If treated in stages 1 or 2, the individual will usually have a hangover for a day, a mild chest or head cold for a week, and then be fully recovered.

If treated in stage 3, the individual will have difficulty speaking and moving their limbs and extremities for about a week, and then be fully recovered. Their Ice affinity will fade in time, and their original affinity will replace it.

If treated in stage 4, the symptoms may persist for several months, even though the individual will no longer be contagious and Frostflesh will no longer be present within their body.

If left untreated, an infected individual can possibly live for several centuries, albeit in a highly infectious, comatose state. For this reason, untreated Frostflesh is thought to be worse than death: eternal frozen sleep.

Once an individual contracts and is cured of Frostflesh, they are immune to it for life.

See also