Cackle Syndrome

Bacterial Bulbaric Oedema

Known in medicine as Bacterial Bulbaric Oedema, Cackle Syndrome is a bacterial infection that causes swelling around parts of the brain stem that results in uncontrollable outbursts of emotion, typically laughter, from which the Common name derives. The fluid-filled swelling (oedema) puts pressure on parts of the brain stem that deal with emotional response, resulting in misfires that then cause the uncontrollable outbursts. The disease gets progressively worse as the oedema gets larger, and can often result in catatonia or, in the most severe cases, death.

Cackle Syndrome is typically spread through respiratory droplets expelled during coughs and sneezing. The bacteria do not survive for very long outside of a viable host, often mere minutes at most, thus most infections occur between individuals who were standing within five feet of each other. The incubation period for the illness is typically 24-48 hours, with symptoms generally appearing within 36-60 hours of contracting the disease. The disease only affects mammalian Sapients, meaning that Fizdragua and Lizardfolk are immune to the condition. That being said, Kobolds are susceptible to the disease, and Gnomes are likewise immune.

Considered an uncommon illness, Cackle Fever gradually worsens until the oedema begins to prevent regular function of the brain stem. It is not always fatal, but untreated can cause serious damage to the nervous system, even if the bacteria eventually die off by themselves.

Causes

Caused by a relative of the tuberculosis bacterium known as Mycobacterium Bulbariosis, Cackle Syndrome is a bacterial infection spread by coughing or sneezing respiratory droplets containing the bacteria into the air. These droplets then infect others through entry via the nose and mouth.

Symptoms

Early symptoms of Cackle Syndrome typically involve headache and neck pain with no apparent cause, usually around 36 hours after becoming infected. Following this, uncontrollable emotional outbursts begin to occur, usually lasting only a minute in length and occurring during times of heightened emotion. The outbursts typically start as being associated with the reception of pain, though this can escalate to any and all types of heightened emotion as the disease progresses. The length and potency of the outbursts lengthen and become more frequent over time, with some of the most severe outbursts lasting for days with no reprieve.

Treatment

Cackle Syndrome is treated with a very specific potion known as Placotonic, or can be treated with a higher Tier Cure Disease spell.

Prognosis

Cackle Syndrome gradually worsens over time, with the symptoms becoming more prolonged and frequent if left untreated. If left for too long, the patient can fall into a state of catatonia, which will eventually lead to death. This can take anywhere from fourteen to thirty days, depending on the constitution of the sufferer. While it is possible to revive someone from the catatonic state, allowing them to reach that stage runs the risk of severe neurological damage that can be difficult to repair.

Sequela

Once treated, most Cackle Syndrome infections leave no long-lasting effects. However, the longer the disease is left untreated, the higher the chances of neurological damage occurring become.

Contents

Type

Bacterial

Rarity

Uncommon