Recognising and Understanding the Zombie

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hazenfelts

Hello, I did originally post this in the open discussion group.  Due to some people's lack of humour it was not received particularly well.  I've decided to try again here in the hopes that people will not take it seriously and that I''m not trying to compete with literature's timeless classics.  This is just a bit of fun(for you, not me, I'm not gonna let, 'them' 'get me')

hazenfelts

The, 'Zombie Condition' is caused by a specific virus merging with an enzyme.  This virus-enzyme, 'compound' is completely repugnant to all organisms.  If ingested the virus-enzyme (VE) will kill within an hour.  If the VE is able to get into the blood stream of a human it will use the circulatory system to find the brain.  Once in the brain the VE will replicate itself in the frontal lobe, using brain cells as hosts.  Once enough of the VE are present the brain is essentially, 'hijaked' by the VE and no longer dependent upon oxygen.  This, 'transformed' brain can use the motor functions of the body however is no longer dependent upon its support mechanism.  This process has different stages leading up to death and re-animation of the host and is dependent on whereabouts the virus enters the blood stream.  For some unknown reason the VE's host will become determined to devour all living organisms, with a preference to human beings.  This however provides no nutritional benefit as the host is technically dead and unable to benefit from this due to its lack of a functional digestive system.

Upon becoming aware of, 'fresh meat' the zombie will lock eyes (if it still posses them) on its target and let out a blood curdling moan.  This will attract any zombies within earshot who will themselves let out the same moan, potentially creating a nasty chain reaction for whoever, 'tripped' the first ghoul

If the VE has to pass through the liver before the brain the liver will (for some currently unknown reason) extract and absorb it.  This, unfortunately, does not stop the VE from getting to the brain, it merely prolongs the inevitable as the VE will replicate itself until the liver is no longer able to cope and carries on through the circulatory system towards the brain.  This is the reason some people are able to stay alive for over a day after a bite.  Scientists are frantically trying to find out what it is in the liver that identifies and extracts the VE from the blood stream in an attempt to help combat it but so far no cure or vaccine has been found to work.  Below is a timetable that outlines the process of an infected person.  Depending on the individual it may vary by some hours.

If VE has to go through the liver

Hour 0-1: (provided the infection came from a wound) discolouration and immediate clotting of the wound

Hour 4-7: Slight fever, chills and vomiting (VE has entered the liver)

Hour 8-12: Numbing of extremities, increased fever, slight dementia, loss of co-ordination

Hour 13-15: Paralysis in lower body, increased dementia, slower heart rate

Hour 16-20: Coma (VE has left the liver and entered the brain)

Hour 20-23: Heart failure and brain death. Host will appear dead

Hour 23-24: Re-animation

If VE goes straight to the brain

Hour 0-1: (provided the infection came from a wound) discolouration and immediate clotting of the wound, Paralysis in lower body, severe fever and dementia, coma, death, re-animation

Hour 1-2: Coma, death, re-animation

Tests have shown that introducing the VE to an already dead subject did not result in re-animation. VE will not replicate itself unless introduced to a, 'living host'

The fact that the, 'zombie's' body is technically deceased, their is no circulatory system providing oxygen to the muscles.  This combined with the ever growing effect of necrosis results in a severe lack of speed and agility, two major advantages any potential survivalist should keep in mind.

A zombie can be recognised by the following traits:

  • Almost 0 agility and co-ordination
  • Stumbling gait
  • Decomposition of the flesh
  • The VE Zombie, 'howl' or 'moan'
for further (essential) reading please refer to the, Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks

Or the group dedicated to stopping this menace http://www.chess.com/groups/home/zombie-survivalist-group
rolef

http://www.amazon.com/Serpent-Rainbow-Scientists-Astonishing-Societies/dp/0684839296

Hi

 Let me suggest this book to you....................

hazenfelts
rolef wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/Serpent-Rainbow-Scientists-Astonishing-Societies/dp/0684839296

Hi

 Let me suggest this book to you....................


Ah, that book is about Voodoo zombies.  This is a (interesting) yet entirely different being.  A voodoo zombie is a person who has had a powerful toxinadministered. (I have read that it can come from a blow-fish but I am unsure of the validity of this)  After the antidote is used the person is revived but suffers a form of brain damage that gives them a, 'zombie like' demeanor.  The person is essentially still alive though. 

My subject matter are people who have died after contracting the virus-enzyme compound. (Please see http://www.chess.com/news/new-virus-to-be-manufactured-2650 in understanding how this will come to be) The then dead body is, 're-animated'.  The person (or host as is a more accurate description) is essentially dead. 

Another major difference is that although a, 'voodoo zombie' may try to bite you if they feel threatened, they may not consider you to be a threat and leave you alone.  A, 'voodoo zombie' cannot cause other people to become, 'zombies)

A VE zombie will always try and bite and can infect other people with VE

Thank you for you contribution though as it is a common misunderstanding.  The book does look extremely interesting and I shall be sure to check it out

DPenn

It kind of sounds like the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers.