Symptom Detection Tips
Master the art of detecting symptoms and making correct diagnoses.
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Basic Inspection
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At the start of the game, you'll use a flashlight to look for symptoms. Press C or D-Pad Down to see all possible symptoms in the menu. Each symptom is marked by one of three colored boxes.
Inspection Steps
Use Your Flashlight
Toggle the flashlight with F/RS/R3. Shine it directly into the survivor's eyes to check for yellow discoloration, conjunctivitis, or bloodshot eyes.
Examine From All Angles
Walk around the survivor. Check the back of their neck, behind their ears, the backs of their legs and arms. Symptoms can hide anywhere.
Use Zoom and Crouch
Press RMB/LT/L2 to zoom in for close inspection. Use CTRL/B/Circle to crouch and examine legs and feet closely.
Mark All Symptoms
Open the symptom checklist with C/D-Pad Down. Click the relevant box for each symptom you find. Marking symptoms earns more Research Points.
Multiple Symptoms
Survivors may have multiple symptoms! Always check thoroughly before making a decision. Missing even one red symptom could mean disaster.
Understanding Color Ratings
Green - Sick Only
A survivor with ONLY green symptoms is sick but NOT infected. They can be safely sent to the Survivors Block for evacuation.
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Yellow eyes - a sign of sickness but not infection
Orange - Quarantine Required
Orange symptoms COULD be just sickness, but they COULD also be signs of infection. These survivors need quarantine for observation.
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Conjunctivitis - could be sickness or infection
Red - Infected (Liquidate)
If a survivor has ANY red symptoms, they are INFECTED with the virus. They must be sent to Liquidation immediately - there is no cure.
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Bite mark - definite sign of infection
Distribution System
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After checking all possible symptoms, open the Distribution Menu with TAB/Back Button. All marked symptoms will show on the left side.
Don't Take Chances
Even if someone doesn't have any red symptoms, if they have loads of orange symptoms, they're likely infected. Better to liquidate than risk contaminating the healthy survivors.
Quarantine Rechecks
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Daily Quarantine Routine
- 1After sleeping, ALWAYS check quarantined survivors first
- 2Walk up to them and press E/X/Square to inspect
- 3If symptoms disappeared → Send to Survivors Block
- 4If turned into zombie → Use Clear button to incinerate
Previous Symptoms
Symptoms from the previous day will still be selected. If they're no longer present, make sure to uncheck them before reassigning the survivor.
Advanced Tools
As you progress through the days, you'll unlock new tools to detect more symptoms. Here's an overview of the main tools:
Thermopulsometer
Unlocked Day 2Click to view full size
Checks temperature and pulse. Wait a few seconds for accurate readings. Temperature above 41°C or pulse over 180 BPM indicates infection.
Reflex Hammer
Unlocked Day 3Click to view full size
Hit arms or legs to test reflexes. No reaction = sick. Attack you = possible infection. Opposite limb responds = definitely infected.
Scanner
Unlocked Day 4Click to view full size
Reveals symptoms hidden under clothing like bite marks. Perform full-body scans from every angle, including under shoes.
Stethoscope
Unlocked Day 5Click to view full size
Listen to breathing. Clear yellow lungs = healthy. Black spots with waves = sick or infected depending on wave amplitude.
UV Tower Detection
The UV Tower is a special tool attached to your inspection table. It reveals symptoms that are invisible under normal light, making it essential for catching hidden infections.
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UV Visible Symptoms
UV Vapor
Green - Sickness OnlyA green mist that surrounds parts of the survivor's body under UV light. This indicates sickness but NOT infection.
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Green glowing mist floating around the survivor
UV Contraband
Red - Infected (Liquidate)A green glowing spot appears on items in the survivor's backpack under UV light. This indicates they are carrying infected contraband and must be liquidated.
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Green glowing spot on backpack items
UV Symptom
Red - Infected (Liquidate)Certain appearance symptoms like bite marks, necrosis, and eye/mouth leakage are invisible under normal light but glow green under UV. These are definite signs of infection.
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Hidden symptoms glowing green on skin
When to Use UV
Always activate the UV Tower after completing your initial visual inspection. UV symptoms can appear on any survivor, even those who look healthy under normal light.
- •Check UV after completing your normal visual inspection
- •Walk around the survivor with UV active to check all angles
- •Don't forget to check backpack items for UV Contraband
Common UV Mistakes
Confusing UV Vapor with UV Symptom
UV Vapor is a floating green mist (Green rating - safe). UV Symptoms are glowing spots directly on the skin (Red rating - infected). Look carefully at WHERE the glow is located.
Missing backpack contraband
Always check the survivor's backpack items under UV. The contraband glow can be small and easy to miss. Rotate around the survivor to check from all angles.
Forgetting to use UV entirely
Some infections are ONLY visible under UV light. Make UV checking a routine part of every inspection. A survivor can look completely healthy under normal light but be infected.
Pro Tips
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Remove Sunglasses
If a survivor is wearing sunglasses, remove them before inspecting their eyes. Important symptoms could be hidden.
Ignore What Survivors Say
Survivors are scared and will lie about their condition. Trust only what you see with your own eyes and tools.
Multiple Orange = Liquidate
If someone has many orange symptoms but no red ones, they are likely infected. Don't take chances - send them to liquidation.
Zombie Parts = Infection
Any survivor carrying zombie parts (like skulls) should be treated as infected. These are biohazards.
Develop a Routine
Check each symptom in the same order every time. This prevents you from forgetting to check something as new tools are unlocked.
Watch for Visual Cues
Coughing, sneezing, hiccupping, or holding their stomach are behavioral clues that indicate specific symptoms to check.