In DayZ, survival is not just about fighting zombies or other players. Diseases and infections can be just as dangerous, leading to critical conditions as quickly as a bullet or a hit. The game features a realistic health system where neglecting hygiene, eating raw meat, or failing to treat wounds can be extremely risky. In DayZ, you will encounter both minor ailments like the common cold and severe illnesses such as pneumonia. Each of them requires different treatment and prevention. DayZ forces players to plan access to clean water, proper food, and medicine – otherwise, survival becomes a matter of luck. Understanding disease mechanics and knowing how to treat them is a key part of long-term gameplay.
Diseases You Can Cure in DayZ
- Cholera – A bacterial disease caused by drinking contaminated water or consuming food that has come into contact with dirty hands. The symptoms are troublesome and include vomiting and high fever (which can be measured using a Medical Thermometer). Treatment involves taking Tetracycline Pills or Multivitamin Pills to eliminate the bacteria from the player’s body. Prevention focuses on purifying water with chlorine tablets and washing hands before handling food.
- Common Cold – It is a disease that occurs when a player has low body temperature for an extended period and their heat comfort drops. Additionally, it can be transmitted by other survivors who sneeze or cough nearby. Contact with contaminated food or water also increases the likelihood of infection. The main symptom is sneezing, which can be temporarily reduced by taking Codeine Pills or Morphine Auto-Injector. Unfortunately, this does not eliminate the cause, and untreated cold can lead to the flu. Treatment involves raising body temperature, for example, by staying near a fire, and supporting the immune system with Multivitamins or antibiotics (Tetracycline Pills). It is also important to drink clean water and dress warmly.
- Influenza (Flu) – The flu is a direct, more advanced stage of untreated cold. The progression of the disease depends on the level of heat comfort – the lower it is, the faster the infection moves to the next stage. The symptoms are quite noticeable: the character sneezes, coughs, and has a high temperature (which can be measured using a Medical Thermometer). Coughing and sneezing fits can be suppressed with Codeine Pills or Morphine Auto-Injector to avoid revealing your position. Treating the flu is similar to treating a cold and involves raising body temperature, taking Multivitamins, and using Tetracycline Pills.
- Salmonellosis (Salmonella) – It is a gastrointestinal infection caused by Salmonella bacteria, which enter the player’s body after consuming spoiled or raw meat (as well as other products like fat or guts). Additionally, it can be triggered by contact with infected blood or by drinking contaminated water. The symptoms are quite troublesome and include vomiting, which significantly lowers hunger and hydration stats. Treatment involves taking Charcoal Tablets every few minutes to cleanse the body of toxins. Multivitamin Pills and proper hydration can also be helpful. Prevention is essential to avoid this disease – meat should always be thoroughly cooked or baked, water should be purified, and contact with infected blood should be minimized.
- Pneumonia – The most advanced stage of a cold or flu, where the symptoms are much stronger. Treatment is the same as for a cold or flu, but simply warming up the character is not enough – medications must be taken.
- Wound Infection – It can occur after a cut or gunshot wound if the injury is not disinfected and properly bandaged. Using dirty bandages also increases the risk of infection, so even if the wound has stopped bleeding, the disease can still develop. Symptoms begin with mild pain and blurred vision. After some time, the pain and sounds of suffering become more noticeable, and the player quickly loses health and energy points. Treatment involves disinfecting the wound using Alcohol Tincture, Disinfectant Spray, or iodine. If the infection progresses, you can use Tetracycline Pills. Prevention includes always using clean bandages and disinfecting wounds.
- Heart Attack – A rare medical condition that can occur suddenly – the player experiences shocks that can lead to unconsciousness. The only effective method is using a Defibrillator, which stops the attack and restores the character to a stable state.
Diseases You Cannot Cure in DayZ
- Brain Prion Disease – It is an incurable disease that can occur after consuming products taken from another survivor. Symptoms appear after about 30 minutes and include uncontrollable laughter, shaky hands, and difficulty aiming. There is no cure for this disease in DayZ, so to avoid infection, you should stay away from eating meat or fat – you know from whom!
- Hemolytic Reaction – A dangerous condition caused by a blood transfusion with an incompatible blood type. Even a small amount can lead to unconsciousness, and with a larger dose, the player’s body loses about 7 ml of blood per second. There is no cure for this condition, and the only option is to let the reaction run its course – if the player survives such blood loss. Hemolytic Reaction highlights the importance of caution during transfusions, as an incorrect blood type match can end in tragedy.
