Yeah. Worms are what I wanted to write as well…the Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis),sometimes also called medina worm, is one of these and was once really common. The Asclepius rod is possibly coming from it.
If your character has a backstory that brings him to southern Europe, Asia or Africa in these times it’s basically perfect.
Another disease to look up: Larva migrans cutanea







First time at 8…when my drunk ass neighbour jumped from his 10m high roof and landed on his patio.
Ended with a Helicopter and everything, he actually survived.
Second time was when I was already an EMT to call for backup.
Last time was on Monday to,well, call for backup as an paramedic as radio reception was shit.