Contagious and Separate: Science Fiction

She was sick, and it was killing her. Oh, not the illness--the alien doctors assured her it was nonfatal--but it was contagious. She had to be a Separate because of it. She couldn't even have a proper leavetaking, because the illness would infect her Selves if she went among them. So she was Separate, and suffering. She'd die soon, she knew, because that was what happened to Separates. She had explained that to the doctors, and they'd all shaken their heads and said there was no reason for it. They didn't understand. At least Separates were usually insane. They didn't really understand the pain--the world was pain and madness to them, or sometimes blessedly madness alone.

Inspiration: Dear Prudence" column about person who is part of a very cuddly social group who now can't always be social because of avoiding sickness.
Story Potential: High.
Notes: I don't like the "alien doctors" part--think it would work better if it was more of a divergent paths of human self-evolution. Heh. Bet you can tell I fear Contagion.