# How to Configure Infection and Mortality Settings on Your Project Zomboid Server (/docs/project-zomboid/infection-settings) Project Zomboid has **two separate infection systems**: the Knox Infection (zombie virus) and regular wound infection. Understanding the difference is critical for configuring your server correctly. Knox Infection vs. Wound Infection [#knox-infection-vs-wound-infection] | | Knox Infection (Zombie Virus) | Wound Infection | | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | | **Cause** | Zombie bites, scratches, lacerations | Dirty bandages, unsterilized wounds | | **Curable?** | No — always fatal (unless Mortality = Never) | Yes — antibiotics, disinfectant, clean bandages | | **Turns you into a zombie?** | Yes (if Reanimate is enabled) | No | | **Controlled by** | `ZombieLore.Transmission` | Game's medical system | | **Can be disabled?** | Yes — set `Transmission = 4` | No — always active | > 📝 **Note:** Setting `Transmission = 4` (None) disables the zombie virus but does **not** disable wound infection. Players can still get infected wounds from dirty bandages or unsterilized injuries — those are treated with antibiotics and clean bandages. Transmission Settings [#transmission-settings] Edit `Zomboid/Server/[servername]_SandboxVars.lua`: ```lua title="SandboxVars.lua" ZombieLore = { Transmission = 1, Mortality = 5, Reanimate = 3, }, ``` | Value | Setting | Description | | ----- | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | 1 | Blood + Saliva | Bites always infect. Scratches and lacerations have a chance | | 2 | Saliva Only | Only bites transmit the virus | | 3 | Everyone's Infected | All players reanimate on death regardless of cause | | 4 | None | Zombie virus is completely disabled | Infection Chances (Blood + Saliva mode) [#infection-chances-blood--saliva-mode] | Injury | Infection Chance | | ------------------------ | ---------------- | | Bite | 100% | | Laceration (from zombie) | 25% | | Scratch (from zombie) | 7% | Mortality Settings [#mortality-settings] Controls how long infected players survive. | Value | Time Until Death | | ----- | -------------------------------------- | | 1 | Instant | | 2 | 0–30 seconds | | 3 | 0–1 minute | | 4 | 0–12 hours | | 5 | 2–3 days (default Apocalypse) | | 6 | 1–2 weeks | | 7 | Never (infected but won't die from it) | Use `InfectionMortalityDuration` to set a custom duration in hours (overrides the Mortality value when set to anything other than -1). Reanimation Settings [#reanimation-settings] Controls how fast dead players become zombies. The dead character becomes a zombie NPC that other players can encounter. | Value | Time Until Reanimation | | ----- | ------------------------------- | | 1 | Instant | | 2 | 0–30 seconds | | 3 | 0–1 minute (default Apocalypse) | | 4 | 0–12 hours | | 5 | 2–3 days | | 6 | 1–2 weeks | > 📝 **Note:** There is no setting to completely disable reanimation on its own. To prevent player reanimation, set `Transmission = 4` (None) so players never get the Knox Infection in the first place. Common Configurations [#common-configurations] Default (Unforgiving) [#default-unforgiving] ```lua title="SandboxVars.lua" ZombieLore = { Transmission = 1, Mortality = 5, Reanimate = 3, }, ``` Standard experience. Bites are a death sentence. Scratches and lacerations have a chance of infection. Death in 2–3 days. Bite Only [#bite-only] ```lua title="SandboxVars.lua" ZombieLore = { Transmission = 2, Mortality = 5, Reanimate = 3, }, ``` Only bites infect. Scratches and lacerations are just wounds to treat. More forgiving but bites are still fatal. No Zombie Infection [#no-zombie-infection] ```lua title="SandboxVars.lua" ZombieLore = { Transmission = 4, Mortality = 7, }, ``` Zombie virus is completely disabled. Players can still die from blood loss, regular wound infections, starvation, and other injuries — just not from the Knox Infection. Walking Dead Mode [#walking-dead-mode] ```lua title="SandboxVars.lua" ZombieLore = { Transmission = 3, Mortality = 5, Reanimate = 1, }, ``` Everyone carries the virus. Any death — from falls, gunshots, starvation, or zombie bites — causes the player's corpse to reanimate as a zombie. Quick Death on Infection [#quick-death-on-infection] ```lua title="SandboxVars.lua" ZombieLore = { Transmission = 1, Mortality = 1, Reanimate = 1, }, ``` Infection kills instantly. No lingering sickness — bitten and dead immediately. Slow Infection (Long Goodbye) [#slow-infection-long-goodbye] ```lua title="SandboxVars.lua" ZombieLore = { Transmission = 1, Mortality = 6, Reanimate = 6, }, ``` Infected players survive 1–2 weeks. They can continue playing, prepare their belongings, and say goodbye before eventually dying. Infected but Immortal [#infected-but-immortal] ```lua title="SandboxVars.lua" ZombieLore = { Transmission = 1, Mortality = 7, }, ``` Players can get infected but never die from it. The queasy/anxious moodles appear but the virus never kills. Useful for roleplay servers. How to Tell If You're Infected [#how-to-tell-if-youre-infected] Players progress through these stages after Knox Infection: 1. **Queasy** — early symptom, could be food poisoning or infection 2. **Anxious** — growing unease, more likely to be infected 3. **Nauseous** — definite infection indicator 4. **Fever** — infection is progressing 5. **Death** — based on Mortality setting timeline There is no in-game test to confirm Knox Infection early. Players must wait and observe symptoms. The uncertainty is part of the gameplay — a scratch might kill you, or it might be nothing. Related Guides [#related-guides] See also: [Zombie Settings](/docs/project-zomboid/zombie-settings) | [Sandbox Settings](/docs/project-zomboid/sandbox-settings) | [PVP Settings](/docs/project-zomboid/pvp-settings) If you need help, join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).