Pokérus (DXZ) Fact Sheet

What is pokérus?

Pokérus, also known as DXZ, is a virus that is endemic to our planet. It has two phases; an inactive phase (DXZ-IP), in which it quietly replicates inside host cells, and an active phase (DXZ-AP), at which time infected hosts become symptomatic and infectious to both humans and pokémon. DXZ-AP causes severe illness in human hosts. Pokémon hosts experience no negative side effects, but can spread the virus readily once infected.

DXZ-AP is spread by a bite or scratch from an infected pokémon, or by contact with bodily fluids from infected humans or pokémon.

Most people and pokémon carry the inactive form of the virus in their bodies. While the virus is inactive, it is harmless. It is only after exposure to the active phase of the virus that it begins to cause illness in humans.

Symptomatic pokérus infection is a serious illness for humans, but it can be treated if caught early enough.

What are the symptoms of DXZ-AP?

The symptoms of DXZ-AP appear 1-2 weeks after infection. These symptoms may include the following:

• fever
• chills
• joint pain
• fatigue
• dizziness
• brain fog
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• tachycardia (unusually fast heartbeat)
• aggression
• sensitivity to light
• itching, skin discolouration, rashes or hives
• organ injury or failure
• physical mutation

Once symptoms appear, they progress rapidly. Without treatment, infected humans are at a high risk of spontaneous metamorphosis, permanent disfigurement, and/or death.

What causes DXZ-AP infections?

DXZ-AP is passed from an infected pokémon or human by physical contact. You can catch the virus through:

• a bite or scratch from an infected pokémon
• bodily fluids (blood, tears, saliva) from infected pokémon or humans

Any wild pokémon may carry DXZ-AP, and is capable of spreading the infection. It is not possible to warn of specific “at risk” pokémon species. Be on the lookout for unusual behaviours, such as:

• nocturnal species being active during the day
• shy species approaching humans unprompted
• docile or friendly pokémon being unusually active or aggressive

The best defence is to be alert, and stay up-to-date on your vaccinations.

When should I see a doctor?

If you are bitten or scratched by a wild pokémon, or a tame pokémon that is behaving unusually, you should:

• wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water
• apply iodine or an anti-viral medication to the wound
• do not cover the wound
• go to an emergency room or a pokémon centre right away

All clinics, hospitals and pokémon centres carry first-line medical treatments for DXZ-AP. If there isn’t a clinic or hospital within a half hour of travel, go to the nearest pokémon centre instead. The nurses staffing pokémon centres are trained specifically to administer initial treatment for DXZ-AP.

How is DXZ-AP diagnosed?

DXZ-AP can be diagnosed with a rapid antigen test using a small amount of blood. If DXZ-AP is suspected from a bite or scratch, then blood from the wound will be tested; otherwise, your medical professional will use blood from a fingerprick.

How is DXZ-AP treated?

Treatment for DXZ-AP should be started as soon as possible after the virus is contracted. Exact treatment depends on how far the infection has progressed.

If the infection is reported within 12 hours post-exposure:

• you will be kept under observation for a week or two
• you will be given a post-exposure DXZ booster vaccine immediately
• you will receive three more boosters at the second, third and fifth day after infection
• you may be given immunoglobulin from pokérus immune donors
• you may be airlifted to a larger hospital for supportive care if symptoms worsen

If the infection is reported between 12 and 72 hours post-exposure:

• you will be kept under observation for 3-4 weeks
• you will be given a series of DXZ booster vaccines, one a day for at least 7 days
• you will be given immunoglobulin from pokérus immune donors
• you will most likely be airlifted to a larger hospital for supportive care

If the infection is reported after 72 hours:

• you will be airlifted to a clean-room facility immediately. If a booster vaccine is available it will be administered either before the helicopter arrives or during transit
• you will be placed in a medically induced coma in the clean-room facility
• high doses of anti-viral medication will be administered
• the emergency course of DXZ boosters will be administered. This consists of two shots a day for two weeks
• blood and immunoglobulin from pokérus immune donors will be given to you in large amounts

Active pokérus infection is survivable at any stage, but the sooner you contact a medical professional the better. The longer the illness goes untreated, the higher the chance of serious side effects and/or death.

Reducing the risk of infection

There are a number of ways to reduce your risk of exposure to DXZ-AP, such as:

• do not feed, pat or play with wild pokémon or tame pokémon that are behaving strangely
• do not openly carry food in areas were wild pokémon are abundant
• do not approach any pokémon that is behaving strangely
• know what to do if you are scratched, bitten, or exposed to potentially infected blood, saliva or tears
• if you are a pokémon trainer, consider getting a bi-annual DXZ booster shot as long as you are training pokémon

Follow the steps above even if you are up to date on your vaccinations. It is better to get an extra booster shot than it is to risk serious illness.

DXZ Vaccinations

Vaccination is your best protection for DXZ-AP. DXZ vaccines are part of the routine childhood vaccine regimen, and boosters can be received free of charge at any medical clinic or pokémon centre.

What happens to pokémon infected with DXZ-AP?

Pokémon who contract active-phase pokérus suffer no ill effects, but the virus does tend to cause them to act in uncharacteristic ways. They may be more energetic or aggressive than usual, and may approach humans more readily than usual. While wild pokémon are the biggest risk for DXZ-AP transmission, it is possible for a tame pokémon to pick up the virus and transmit it to its trainer as well. Try to reduce contact with pokémon blood, tears, or saliva wherever possible.

Who are pokérus immune donors?

Human-pokémon hybrids (of any generation) are immune to DXZ-AP, unable to either catch or carry it. This immunity makes people of pokémon heritage extremely valuable in studying and treating DXZ-AP infections. If you are infected and require a clean-room stay, your attending staff will (where possible) be hybrids to minimise the risk of bringing different strains of DXZ into contact with your depressed immune system.

If you have pokémon heritage, please consider donating blood or volunteering with your local medical centre.