What Mission Does Arthur Get TB?
Arthur Morgan, the protagonist of Red Dead Redemption 2, contracts tuberculosis (TB) during a routine mission to collect money lent out via Leopold Strauss, the Van der Linde gang’s loan shark. The lendee, a severely ill and elderly farmer, coughs on Arthur’s face in the midst of a heated confrontation.
Early Onset
Arthur gets TB in Chapter 2, but he doesn’t start showing any real signs of illness until Chapter 5 or 6. This means that players have a significant amount of gameplay and storyline before Arthur’s health begins to deteriorate.
The Coughing
The farmer, whose identity is not revealed in the game, is visibly ill and coughs uncontrollably throughout the mission. This moment marks the beginning of Arthur’s TB infection, and he will eventually succumb to the disease.
Infection and Symptoms
Here are the key facts about Arthur’s TB infection:
• Duration: The infection takes place early on in the game, and Arthur’s symptoms appear gradually over time.
• Symptoms: The exact symptoms of Arthur’s TB are not explicitly shown in the game, but based on historical records and general understanding of the disease, they would likely include fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, and chronic coughing.
• Impact: Arthur’s TB has a significant impact on the game’s story, as it affects his character’s development and ultimately leads to his demise.
Fighting the Disease
While there is no direct cure for TB in Red Dead Redemption 2, the game does offer some suggestions on how to manage Arthur’s symptoms:
• Medicine: The gang’s doctor, Harriet Davenport, can prescribe Arthur medication to alleviate his symptoms, but this does little to slow the progression of the disease.
• Lifestyle Changes: Players can influence Arthur’s health by encouraging him to make lifestyle changes, such as resting and avoiding strenuous activities.
• Hospitals: Arthur can seek medical attention at hospitals in Saint Denis and other settlements, but these facilities offer little more than temporary relief from his symptoms.
Consequences
Arthur’s TB ultimately leads to his death, which serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the consequences of the character’s actions. The story also highlights the theme of mortality and the impermanence of life.
Comparison to Real-Life
Here’s a comparison of Arthur’s TB in the game to real-life tuberculosis:
| Game | Real-Life | |
|---|---|---|
| Infection: | Farmer’s cough infects Arthur | Infected person coughs droplets into the air |
| Symptoms: | Gradual onset, no explicit symptoms shown | Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, and chronic coughing |
| Treatment: | No direct cure, only symptom relief | TB requires prolonged antibiotic treatment to cure |
| Prevention: | No effective prevention methods shown in-game | Preventing TB spread involves testing, isolating infected individuals, and implementing infection control measures |
Conclusion
Arthur Morgan’s contraction of tuberculosis in Red Dead Redemption 2 serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of disease and the importance of taking preventative measures. While the game does not provide a direct cure for Arthur’s TB, it does offer insight into the character’s struggles with his illness and the eventual consequences of his actions.