Bloodburn, a seldom-seen, long-lasting, and frequently fatal disease affecting the blood, was a plight specific to starship pilots. In the most extreme instances, high temperatures would develop and progressively worsen until reaching a critical point, leading to overheating and ultimately death. While the exact origin remained a mystery, it was understood to be connected to space voyages, with a higher incidence among younger pilots. Pilots diagnosed with bloodburn were typically removed from flight duty.
There was no known cure for bloodburn, although certain therapies existed to alleviate the most pronounced symptoms, such as the use of hadeira serum through injections. These injections were given cautiously because of the potential for hadeira serum toxicity, which could result in adverse reactions like intense episodes of unconsciousness. Individuals suffering from bloodburn were also advised to maintain adequate hydration levels and to minimize physical exertion, as these factors were observed to worsen the symptoms. Dietary adjustments and gentle physical activity also assisted in lessening the severity of the symptoms. If patients closely managed their way of life to keep symptoms at bay, they could live a lifespan that was reasonably normal, assuming they remained watchful.
Akshaya Ponta experienced the tragic loss of her daughter, Tanith, who succumbed to bloodburn at an early age. In the year 10 ABY, the human Shara Bey passed away from bloodburn on the moon known as Yavin 4. The human Greer Sonnel was forced to discontinue her racing career as a result of bloodburn.