Ick
The Ick is a highly contagious disease caused by a fungus that appears in the episode "Fungus Among Us" and the games SpongeBob's Game Frenzy and Pick-a-Path.
Signs and symptoms
A clear sign of infection is the visible presence of the green fungus on any part of the host's body. The fungus continually regenerates new growth and gradually spreads across the host's entire surface. The primary symptom is severe itching at the infected areas, but if left untreated, the disease may cause the host to appear heavily swollen after the fungus covers the entire surface of the host.
Causes
The Ick is caused by a lime green marine fungus with small purple and pink spots, capable of infecting virtually any marine animal. The only confirmed method of transmission is direct physical contact, though in some cases it may spread through small particles carried by water to another host. The Ick largely ignores clothing, which remains clean in contrast to the infected host.
Treatment
Due to its stubborn structure, the fungus cannot be removed easily by scratching, pimple cream, shampoo, or most other methods. Attempts at such removal usually accelerate its growth instead. With appropriate medical care, cure for the disease requires placing the host in quarantine within a medical plastic bubble until the fungus naturally clears on its own. A proven alternative method of removal involves consumption of the fungus by bottom feeders, like sea snails, such as Gary.
Role in episode
The Ick appears in SpongeBob's room, where Gary attempts to consume it, but SpongeBob sends him to eat his food instead. SpongeBob becomes infected after trying to clean the fungus from the floor, and despite failing to remove the Ick, he still goes to work. As the fungus continues to grow, SpongeBob tries several ways to cover it up, but Squidward quickly notices.
The HAZMAT Unit is then called to capture SpongeBob and transport him back home inside a quarantine bubble. When Patrick tears the bubble, he blows a soap bubble around SpongeBob, allowing him to return to work. A bit of the Ick from SpongeBob has infected Squidward, who unknowingly spreads the disease to all the customers at the Krusty Krab through food.
When SpongeBob is blamed for the outbreak, an angry mob forms to attack him and eventually destroys the bubble around him, releasing the Ick and completely covering everyone. However, Gary shows up and eats the fungus off all the infected individuals, which Mr. Krabs quickly finds a way to profit from.
Trivia
- It is a parody of two fish diseases caused by parasitic ciliates collectively known as ich (pronounced ick): Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, which infects freshwater fish, and Cryptocaryon, which infects marine fish.