Star Trek: 10 Weirdest Medical Cases
5. Patient: Various, USS Enterprise-D; USS Lantree; Darwin Station; Other
Case: Isolated Incidents of Rapid Aging in Healthy Adults
Over the centuries of Starfleet's operation, there have been a number of separate cases of sudden onset, non-Hutchinson-Gilford, accelerated aging with varying aetiologies. The Gamma Hydra IV incident in 2267 is the first on record — all colony personnel succumbed to the effects of old age, yet none were in reality over thirty. The disease spread to each member, except one, of the USS Enterprise's away team, and the cause was determined to be radiation exposure from a passing comet. Treatment with an epinephrine serum was favoured over the standard hyronalin.
A second manifestation of the rapid onset geriatric phenomenon was observed at Darwin Station and aboard the USS Lantree. It was determined that interaction between Thelusian influenza and the aggressive immune system of genetically engineered 'children' had inadvertently produced airborne antibodies capable of altering the genes involved in aging. Those exposed also included a crewmember of the USS Enterprise-D. Treatment required a reprogramming of the transporter system to restore the patient to health using a sample of unaltered DNA or trace pattern.
For a further case study, see textbooks: alien experiments, USS Voyager. And remember the adage: If in doubt, get the styrolite out!