Solanum
| Solanum | |
|---|---|
| |
| Several Solanum viruses extracted from an infected brain. | |
| Virus classification | |
| Group: | Group VI (ssRNA-RT)
|
| Family: | Zetaretrovirus
|
| Genus: | Solanum
|
| Species | |
Solanum, colloquially known as the "zombie virus", is a human retrovirus first classified in 1960, although historical evidence shows that it is much older. Solanum is famous for the horrifying effects it has on those infected with it, and its incurability. There is currently no known source of Solanum in nature, though scientists are searching.
Acute phase symptoms
Solanum's incubation period is very short, on the order of 1-5 hours, and symptoms develop very rapidly. The initial phase of acute infection is usually over within 24 hours.
Early symptoms
Late symptoms
- Severe Dementia
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Cardiac failure
Reanimation
After the initial phase, in about 24 hours after exposure, the brain and the body undergoes a transformation. The exact nature of this transformation is not yet understood, but it is known that it makes the body and brain independent of oxygen. It also negates the need for food and drink - the infected becomes completely self-sufficient. Reanimation almost always occurs unless the subject commits suicide within 1-5 hours of infection. The virus travels through the bloodstream to the brain and uses the cells of the frontal lobe to create new cells - effectively creating the brain into an entirely new organ.
Post-Reanimation
After reanimation, infected people lose most of their brain function. They are incapable of conscious thoughts and do not respond to any form of conditioning. They also lack many instincts present in animals, such as self-protection. Their only instinct is to seek food. For those reasons, they are often called "zombies". Zombies lack all of the body's regenerative functions. While their toxicity protects them from decomposition (mostly), their bodies cannot regenerate from any injury, even mild ones like scratches and sunburns. Many zombies die from accumulated injuries in a few years after infection, combined with decomposition from the organisms that can resist the toxicity.
Ways of infection
Transmission usually occurs via bites by infected specimen. The virus is not airborne or waterborne, and does not infect any species other than Homo Sapiens. If another species is infected, they expire before the virus can finish replicating.
References
- Freeman R, Innis D (1999). "Psychological Abilities of Solanum-Infected Humans". Solanum Research.