| ChronoGrl |
12-29-2007 04:14 PM |
Have you read the Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks?
It's actually a really fun read and sounds like it's exactly what you're looking for.
Quote:
We must begin by separating fact form fiction. The walking dead are neither a work of "black magic" nor any other supernatural force. Their origin stems from a virus known as Solanum, a Latin word used by Jan Vanderhaven, how first "discovered" the disease. Solanum works by traveling through the bloodstream, from the initial point of entry to the brain. Through means not yet fully understood, the virus uses the cells of the frontal lobe for replication, destroying them in the process. During this period, all bodily functions cease. By stopping the heart, the infected subject is rendered "dead." The brain, however, remains alive but dormant, while the virus mutates its cells into a completely new organ. The most critical train of this new organ is its independence form oxygen. By removing the need for this all-important resource, the undead brain can utilize, but is in no way dependent upon, the complex support mechanism of the human body. Once mutation is complete, this new organ reanimates the body into a form that bears little resemblance (physiologically speaking) to the original corpse. Some bodily functions remain constant, others operate in a modified capacity, and the remainder shut down completely. This new organism is a zombie, a member of the living dead.
1. Source
Unfortunately, extensive research has yet to find an isolated example of Solanum in nature. Water, air, and soil in all ecosystems, from all parts of the world, have turned up negative, as have their accompanying flora and fauna. At the time of this writing, the search continues.
2. Symptoms
The timetable below outlines the process of an infected human (give or take several hours, depending on the individual).
Hour 1. Pain and discoloration (brown-purple) of the infected area. Immediate clotting of the wound (provided the infection came from a wound).
Hour 5. Fever (99-103 degrees F), chills, slight dementia, vomiting, acute pain in the joints.
Hour 8. Numbing of extremities and infected area, increased fever (103-106 degrees F), increased dementia, loss of muscular coordination.
Hour 11. Paralysis in the lower body, overall numbness, slowed heart rate.
Hour 16. Coma.
Hour 20. Heart stoppage. Zero brain activity.
Hour 23. Reanimation.
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Honestly, if you can get your hands on it, this is exactly what you're looking for. It's simply zombiegeektacular.
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The "Zombie" Wikipedia entry is fairly interesting as well. |
