Viral infection. Sun allergies. Need for transfusions. There is a disease that mimics much of "
das wampyr".
Porphyria, an allergy to sunlight that causes exposed skin to burn, blister and scar. In extreme cases symptoms can include migraines, nausea,
vomiting and chronic pain. Some sufferers can even stop breathing.
From The American Porphyria Foundation
Treatment and Prognosis: PCT is the most treatable of the porphyrias. Treatment seems to be equally effective in familial and non-familial PCT.
Factors that tend to activate the disease should be removed. The most widely recommended treatment is a schedule of repeated phlebotomy
(removal of blood), with the aim of reducing iron in the liver. This actually reduces iron stores throughout the body. Usually, removal of only 5 to 6
pints of blood (one pint every one to two weeks) is sufficient, which indicates that iron stores are not excessively increased in most PCT
patients.
If this disease has existed for hundreds of years,
maybe the symptoms and treatments were similar in the "Old Country". Just my theory.
[Edited on 12-2-2003 by darklanser]