[Voice/Action]

[coolstempers]

[Piers didn't even bother to do anything more than listen to the other responses on that draft announcement. His name was on there, so was Mia's, and so were the names of others he knew and counted as friends. It didn't seem like there was anything that could be done

Comments

[tanukipoint]

[He may have to take you up on that offer later, Piers. But for now...]

There are a lot of complicated factors involved, but disease is mainly caused by the introduction of microscopic organisms called pathogens into a host body. Pathogens can be transmitted by anything if you're not careful - water, food, animals, air - and once inside the body, they begin to multiply while attacking the host's functions. Every disease is different, but most focus on a particular aspect of the body - the common cold, for example, only affects the respiratory system, while influenza targets both the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. It's also possible to contract more than one disease at the same time. Overall, disease is widely varied and can result in anything from passing without symptoms to death.

Of course, humans have a natural defense against disease called an immune system. Immune systems are responsible for producing antibodies that can fight back against pathogens. In many cases, antibodies alone can eliminate an illness given time, and use a special system that lets them kill the same kind of pathogen right away if it ever infects the body again. Doctors like me often supplement people with medicine that helps with these processes, but ultimately, it's up to the immune system to fight off infectious diseases.

[And this is the bad news, but he'll have to level with you:]

If you've never had any kind of sickness...then your immune system is likely underdeveloped and unprepared for the kind of conditions you'll be in. Not only are you at a high risk for contracting diseases, but there's a good chance that you'll have a lot of difficulty fighting off ones that are already dangerous to people with normal immune systems.

[coolstempers]

[He listens to that long explanation, and it is actually fascinating to hear it, but the last part he's not so sure he agrees with. He was outside Lemuria for long enough that if there was going to be a negative effect, it would have happened. And then over three months in Luceti also. Of course he still isn't quite sure what the effects of being exposed to the Golden Sun were yet, but from Amiti's description, it may well be like living in Lemuria.]

If that last part were true, about how long would you estimate it being likely I would be in danger? I have been here already for three months with no ill effects.

[tanukipoint]

Three months? [That is interesting indeed.] Most illnesses you'd commonly find in a community like this would have taken hold by now. I wonder if the conditions in your world somehow left a lasting effect...

[He pauses for a second or two.] If that really is the case, there wouldn't be as much to be afraid of...but you shouldn't stop worrying about getting infected at all. Have you had a physical exam since you've been here?

[coolstempers]

[Yes, very interesting, though Piers himself isn't aware of just how amazing it is that he got through his journey without any sickness either. And part of that included surviving a tidal wave.]

I can understand that. It is better to be safe than for me to end up seriously ill. [But then he also lives with a healer.] I do not think I have had a physical exam. I know I have not visited the clinic yet, even for injuries.