Strigosis

Strigosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma sighis. Though the parasite is completely harmless to humans, Hybrids are profoundly affected with major physiological changes which cannot be reversed once begun. The original source of the parasite is unclear, but it is known to be native to the Sighisoara region and spreads via drinking contaminated water or body fluids, and, of course, bites from Strigoi.
==Signs and Symptoms==
Initial infection is difficult to identify, being easily mistaken with the Flu due to its early symptoms. Swollen lymph nodes, headaches, fever, and fatigue, or muscle aches and pains that last for a month or more are not uncommon. In humans, the infection stops here as the immune system neutralizes the parasites. 
In Hybrids, however, with their weaker immune systems, Toxoplasma sighis tachyzoites will run rampant and cause significant neurological damage. Hybrids will go on to experience headaches, confusion, poor coordination, seizures, and eventually encephalitis, which will cause the host to develop traits of paranoia, jealousy, and arrogance, and finally, extreme cravings for raw flesh and blood. 
Toxoplasma sighis will also collect in the eyes of the host. Not only does this tend to cause the host's eyesight to degrade from lesions in the retina, but the T. sighis bradyzoites' metallic coating will also cause light passing through the retinas to be partially reflected, making the host almost blind in daylight. This does present an interesting advantage in low-light conditions, however, granting the host a rough equivalent to a tapetum lucidum (eyeshine) found in nocturnal hunters (though the mechanics are closer to examples found in spiders rather than mammals). The result of these changes to eyesight mean that Strigoi have an overwhelming aversion to sunlight and preference for activity at night.
The forementioned cravings for flesh and blood are not entirely psychological. Going too long without ingesting human flesh will cause the parasites to produce wildly, leading to further neurological damage, and therefore stronger cravings. A Strigoi deprived of flesh and blood for too long will begin to experience anxiety, insomnia, confusion, agitation, terror, hallucinations, aversion to water, and delirium, and will eventually become irrevocably rabid and feral.
Category:PACYOA: TE