Dragon Pox

Dragon pox is a potentially fatal contagious disease that occurs in wizards and witches. Its symptoms are presumably similar to Muggle illnesses like smallpox and chickenpox. However, in addition to leaving the victim's skin pockmarked, dragon pox causes a lasting greenish tinge. Simpler cases present with a green-and-purple rash between the toes and sparks coming out of the nostrils when the patient sneezes.

The first person known to have died from dragon pox was Chauncey Oldridge in 1379. Two centuries earlier, in the 1100s, Gunhilda Kneen was recorded as only having to forgo playing Chaser in a Quidditch match when she came down with a "touch" of the sickness.

Gunhilda of Gorsemoor developed a cure for dragon pox, but the disease has not been completely eradicated, as is evidenced by the fact that it is still treated by the Magical Bugs ward at St Mungo's. Elphias Doge got dragon pox shortly before he started at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in September 1892.

Elderly patients are apparently more susceptible to dragon pox than younger ones. Abraxas Malfoy died of it as recently as the second half of the 20th century.

Known sufferers

 * Howland Coopey
 * Elphias Doge
 * Gunhilda Kneen
 * Abraxas Malfoy
 * Ronald Weasley the reason he supposedly wasn't coming to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry during his 7th year.

Appearances

 * Quidditch Through the Ages
 * Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Notes and references
Dragoncelle