Illness in the Pokémon world
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This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Needs coverage of illness in the manga, more coverage of illness in the games and anime (if applicable) |
In the Pokémon world, several Pokémon have been shown to develop illnesses, similar to what happens with status conditions. Additionally, some people have also been known to get sick or suffer from an illness.
In the games
In the Generation II games and their remakes, Jasmine's Ampharos, Amphy, is found ill in the Glitter Lighthouse in Olivine City when the player first arrives. At the top of the lighthouse, Jasmine asks the player to retrieve the SecretPotion from Cianwood City to cure Amphy.
In the Generation III games and their remakes, Wally is a sickly young boy who lives in Petalburg City. Despite his illness, his dream is to train Pokémon. His illness is never explained, but his symptoms appear to clear up in clean air, suggesting that it is either acute bronchitis or asthma. He first appears in Petalburg City, asking Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader, to help him catch a Pokémon before he moves to Verdanturf Town to live with his aunt and uncle. This is because Verdanturf is in a remarkably clean area and might improve Wally's sickness. Wally eventually runs away from home and challenges the player at Victory Road, seemingly recovered from his illness.
Prior to the events of Pokémon Black and White, Alder's starter Pokémon died of an illness, and in despair over not being able to save it, he began traveling around aimlessly. Before his partner's death, the two of them madly pursued strength. The Pokémon's death changed Alder's outlook on life. The identity of this Pokémon is never mentioned in Black and White, but dialogue in Black 2 and White 2 reveals that Alder's late partner was a Volcarona, which evolved from a Larvesta.
In the anime
Electrical overcharging
This condition is known to affect Electric-type Pokémon, although Magnemite and its evolutions appear to be immune to it. This illness is caused by exposure to high levels of electromagnetic energy. Symptoms appear to vary, as shown by different species stricken with it.
In Hoenn Alone!, Pikachu came down with this illness after Team Rocket used an electromagnet in an attempt to drain Pikachu's electricity. It appeared quite lethargic when affected, whereas a wild Elekid from Reversing the Charges did not. He was fully healed in the following episode by a giant mecha that the trio used to try and drain Pikachu's electricity, but only drained the excess energy out of him rather than what they intended. This event shows that there are different levels of this illness, as the first time Pikachu got it, it only had flu-like symptoms; a different time, however, it got so severe there was a threat of Pikachu exploding from the overload. A Pikachu that has an electric overcharge usually becomes red-eyed, aggressive, and dangerous toward its Trainer, though this may only apply to severe cases.
Dawn's Pachirisu got an electric overcharge in Doc Brock!, where it was able to get rid of it with an Oran Berry and attacking Team Rocket. A wild Eelektross also got affected from overcharge after becoming lost and frustrated in the subways of Lumiose City in XYS06. It was calmed down by Dedenne's Nuzzle which helped it discharge its electricity.
This condition is cured by discharging electricity, usually via moves, until the Pokémon's electricity level is normal.
Fever
Known to affect Pokémon of different types, fevers have appeared frequently in the anime. Meowth developed a type of fever in The Problem with Paras. His was cured fairly quickly by a mixture of herbs, as well as pills taken with meals afterward.
A more severe fever struck a wild Ralts in Do I Hear a Ralts?. It was treated by Ash and his friends giving it food and keeping it cool until they arrived at the local Pokémon Center for more intensive treatment. The nature of the treatment was unclear, but it appeared to include the use of an oxygen mask. The recovery was quick, and no follow-up treatment was necessary.
Both Meowth and Ralts became listless when affected, although it was more variable in Ralts.
James's Chimecho also had a large fever in Sweet Baby James, in which James had to leave Chimecho at his grandparents' house near Saffron City. He plans to return there to get Chimecho in the future.
Pokémonitis
Known to affect humans in the Pokémon world, this malady causes them to think and act like various Pokémon. The only known cause of Pokémonitis is being exposed to a Hypno's hypnotic waves, and even then, only when the Hypno has been trained so that its Hypnosis attack specifically affects humans. It is curable by Drowzee's Dream Eater, as seen in Hypno's Naptime. Adults appear to be immune to Pokémonitis, as the oldest known person to be afflicted with it was Misty, despite numerous adults being in extremely close proximity of said hypnotic waves.
Unspecified illnesses
Before To Find a Fairy Flower!, Florence had one day suddenly fell ill and collapsed while she was gardening. She was quickly taken to the Calanthe Town Central Hospital by ambulance. This saddened her husband's Flabébé, who had always enjoyed Florence's company, and she left to search for her. While Flabébé was looking through the window of the hospital Florence was staying in, a strong gust blew her away, and her flower was run over by a passing car and destroyed. Grey was unable to retrieve her, and as such, Florence went into a state of emotional despair despite her treatment being successful.
At some point prior to A Watershed Moment!, Henny's grandfather, Chapman, died of a certain illness.
Prior to the events of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, Mallow's mother passed away due to an unspecified illness while Mallow was still little.
In JNS05, Ash met the ghost of a boy named Haruto who had died of an illness before getting to set off on his journey as a Pokémon Trainer.
In the movies
In The Power of Us, Kellie is a young girl who suffers from an unidentified illness that affects her energy levels and can be triggered by stress.