What is the plague?
The plague is a serious bacterial infection that can be deadly. Sometimes referred to as the “black plague,” the disease is caused by a bacterial strain called Yersinia pestis. This bacterium is found in animals throughout the world and is usually transmitted to humans through fleas.The risk of plague is highest in areas that have poor sanitation, overcrowding, and a large population of rodents.In medieval times, the plague was responsible for the deaths of millions of people in Europe.Today, there are only 1,000 to 2,000 cases reported worldwide each year, with the highest incidence in Africa.
Plague is a rapidly progressing disease that can lead to death if untreated. If you suspect you have it, call a doctor right away or go to an emergency room for immediate medical attention.
TYPES
Types of plague
There are three basic forms of plague:
Bubonic plague
The most common form of plague is bubonic plague. It’s usually contracted when an infected rodent or flea bites you. In very rare cases, you can get the bacteria from material that has come into contact with an infected person.Bubonic plague infects your lymphatic system (a part of the immune system), causing inflammation in your lymph nodes. Untreated, it can move into the blood (causing septicemic plague) or to the lungs (causing pneumonic plague).
Septicemic plague
When the bacteria enter the bloodstream directly and multiply there, it’s known as septicemic plague. When they’re left untreated, both bubonic and pneumonic plague can lead to septicemic plague.
Pneumonic plague
When the bacteria spread to or first infect the lungs, it’s known as pneumonic plague — the most lethal form of the disease. When someone with pneumonic plague coughs, the bacteria from their lungs are expelled into the air. Other people who breathe that air can also develop this highly contagious form of plague, which can lead to an epidemic.
Pneumonic plague is the only form of the plague that can be transmitted from person to person.
CAUSES
How plague spreads
People usually get plague through the bite of fleas that have previously fed on infected animals like mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and prairie dogs. It can also be spread through direct contact with an infected person or animal or by eating an infected animal.Plague can also spread through scratches or bites of infected domestic cats.
It’s rare for bubonic plague or septicemic plague to spread from one human to another.
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of the plague
People infected with the plague usually develop flu-like symptoms two to six days after infection. There are other symptoms that can help distinguish the three forms of the plague.
Bubonic plague symptoms
Symptoms of bubonic plague generally appear within two to six days of infection. They include:
· fever and chills
· headache
· muscle pain
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· general weakness
· seizures
You may also experience painful, swollen lymph glands, called buboes. These typically appear in the groin, armpits, neck, or site of the insect bite or scratch. The buboes are what give bubonic plague its name.
Septicemic plague symptoms.
Septicemic plague symptoms usually start within two to seven days after exposure, but septicemic plague can lead to death before symptoms even appear. Symptoms can include:
· abdominal pain
· diarrhea
· nausea and vomiting
· fever and chills
· extreme weakness
· bleeding (blood may not be able to clot)
· shock
· skin turning black (gangrene)
Pneumonic plague symptoms
Pneumonic plague symptoms may appear as quickly as one day after exposure to the bacteria. These symptoms include:
· trouble breathing
· chest pain
· cough
· fever
· headache
· overall weakness
· bloody sputum (saliva and mucus or pus from the lungs)
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE PLAGUE
What to do if you think you might have the plague
Plague is a life-threatening disease. If you have been exposed to rodents or fleas, or if you have visited a region where plague is known to occur, and you develop symptoms of plague, contact your doctor immediately:
· Be prepared to tell your doctor about any recent travel locations and dates.
· Make a list of all over-the-counter medications, supplements, and prescription drugs you take.
· Make a list of people who have had close contact with you.
· Tell your doctor about all your symptoms and when they first appeared.
When you visit the doctor, emergency room, or anywhere else where others are present, wear a surgical mask to prevent the spread of the disease.
DIAGNOSIS
How the plague is diagnosed
If your doctor suspects you may have plague, they will check for the presence of the bacteria in your body:
· A blood test can reveal if you have septicemic plague.
· To check for bubonic plague, your doctor will use a needle to take a sample of the fluid in your swollen lymph nodes.
· To check for pneumonic plague, fluid will be extracted from your airways by a tube that is inserted down your nose or mouth and down your throat. This is called a bronchoscopy.
The samples will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Preliminary results may be ready in just two hours, but confirmatory testing takes 24 to 48 hours.
Often, if the plague is suspected, your doctor will begin treatment with antibiotics before the diagnosis is confirmed. This is because the plague progresses rapidly, and being treated early can make a big difference in your recovery.
TREATMENT