Fogynia

Fogynia is a term used in speculative fiction and some urban legends to describe a persistent, city-spanning fog that impairs visibility and alters perception. It is not recognized as a medical condition or meteorological category in real-world science.

Etymology and usage: The word blends fog with the -ynia suffix found in medical terms, used to evoke a disease-like phenomenon in stories and games.

In fictional portrayals, fogynia is characterized by dense fog that clings to streets, muffling sound and giving cities a pale, washed-out light. Reported symptoms in characters include cognitive fog, slowed reaction times, memory lapses, and dizziness, though these are narrative devices rather than clinical signs.

Causes and diagnosis: In fiction, causes range from industrial pollution and atmospheric chemistry to magical curses or alien biochemistry; diagnosis is made by travelers or scientists within the story through visual observation and atmospheric sensors. There is no established clinical criteria.

Treatment and prognosis: Containment methods in fiction include evacuation, shelter-in-place with air filtration, fog barriers, and decontamination protocols. Prognosis depends on the plot; some stories depict episodic fog that lifts with weather shifts, others portray chronic fog that recurs periodically.

See also: Fog, Smog, Atmospheric phenomena.