Smoke Banshee Plague

The Smoke Banshee Plague (286/2 - 289/2) was the most devastating pandemic in the history of Man, resulting in the deaths of several hundred thousand people. It mostly affected the central regions - namely Llasair, Nehn and Eldemere, with some smaller outbreaks in the kingdoms of Yoenne and Wedheil.

So far, there has only been this one outbreak.

Symptoms
The first stage of the disease is a tightness in fingers and toes, as if you had string tied tightly around them, and shortness of breath, fever, frequent dizzy spells, and headaches. This is due to early swelling and rising blood pressure. This usually lasts for a week or two before either resolving itself or moving to stage two.

The second stage introduces increased swelling and pain in extremities, as well as swelling in the face (such as lips, tongue, cheeks and brow), severe migraines, bloodspots in the eyes and nose bleeds. At times, too, a victim may begin to cough up blood, and suffer from hallucinations and fever dreams. This can take anywhere between a few days and a few weeks to develop further.

The third stage brings serious bloating of face and gut and leaking of bodily fluids from every orifice. Often, swollen extremities will reach their breaking point and die, becoming gangrenous. At this stage, the victim will not be coherent, often just screaming in pain (or gurgling). This final stage is untreatable, and results in the victims death by choking on their swollen tongue, drowning in bodily fluids leaked into the lungs or rupturing of the gut. It usually lasts about a week before death.

Treatment
If caught early enough, in the first stage, or very early second, the plague can be treated with rest, hydration and healthy eating, as well as avoiding salt and alcohol.

Causes
The disease is transmitted by swapping of bodily fluids, and bodies are best disposed of by cleansing with fire. The name, Smoke Banshee, comes from the wail of the gas buildup escaping from ruptured guts in the fire, similar to a kettle.