It is giving hapless characters an inflammatory condition (10)

I believe the answer is:

gingivitis

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'condition' is the definition.
(gingivitis is a kind of condition)

'it is giving hapless' is the wordplay.
'it is' becomes 'itis'.
'hapless' indicates anagramming the letters.
'itis'+'giving'='itisgiving'
'itisgiving' with letters rearranged gives 'GINGIVITIS'.

'characters an inflammatory' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

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(Another definition for gingivitis that I've seen is " trench mouth".)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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