Yes, the Bubonic Plague is still present, but there's no need to be concerned

| Share Blog |

The plague is a dangerous bacterial infection spread mostly by fleas. Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague, dwells in small rodents found in rural and semi-rural areas of Africa, Asia, and the United States. Humans are infected when they are bitten by fleas that have eaten infected rodents or when they handle diseased animals.Known as the Black Death in medieval times, the plague now affects less than 5,000 people per year around the world. If not treated promptly with antibiotics, it can be fatal. The most prevalent form of plague causes enlarged and sensitive lymph nodes in the groin, armpits, and neck, known as buboes.

Symptoms

Depending on whatever region of your body is affected, the plague is classified as bubonic, septicemic, or pneumonic. Depending on the type of plague, there are different signs and symptoms.

Bubonic Plague

The most frequent kind of plague is bubonic plague. It gets its name from the swollen lymph nodes (buboes) that appear within the first week of infection. Buboes can be any of the following:

It's in your groin, armpit, or neck.

It's about the same size as a chicken egg.

To touch, it's both tender and firm.

Other signs and symptoms of bubonic plague include:

Fever and chills appear suddenly.

Headache

Fatigue or malaise are two terms for the same thing.

Muscle pain

Septicemic plague

When plague germs proliferate in your bloodstream, you get the septicemic plague. The following are some of the signs and symptoms:

Chills and fever

Extreme affliction

Pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, and vomiting

Shock if you have bleeding from your mouth, nose, or rectum, or if you have bleeding under your skin.

Gangrene is the blackening and death of tissue in your extremities, most commonly your fingers, toes, and nose

Pneumonic plague :

The lungs are affected by the pneumonic plague. It's the rarest type of plague, but it's also the most hazardous since it can be passed from person to person via cough droplets. The following signs and symptoms may appear as soon as a few hours after infection:

Coughing up blood and mucous (sputum)

Breathing problems

Vomiting and nausea

Fever is really high.

Headache

Weakness

Pain in the chest

The pneumonic plague spreads quickly, and within two days of infection, it can induce respiratory collapse and shock. The pneumonic plague must be treated with antibiotics within one day after the onset of symptoms, otherwise, the illness will most certainly be fatal.

When should you see a doctor?

If you start to feel ill and have been in an area where a plague has been reported, visit a doctor very away. To avoid major problems or death, you'll need medical treatment.

Causes

The plague bacteria, Yersinia pestis, is transmitted to humans by the bites of fleas that have previously consumed infected animals, such as:

Rats

Mice

Squirrels

Rabbits

Prairie dogs are a breed of dog that lives in

Chipmunks

If a break in your skin comes into contact with the blood of an infected animal, the bacteria can enter your body. Flea bites or eating infected rodents can cause plague infection in domestic cats and dogs.Inhaling infectious droplets coughed into the air by a sick animal or person spreads pneumonic plague, which attacks the lungs.

Inhaling infectious droplets coughed into the air by a sick animal or person spreads pneumonic plague, which attacks the lungs.

Read more What exactly is dengue fever?

Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects you have the plague, he or she may test your samples for the Yersinia pestis bacteria

Buboes. If you have swollen lymph nodes (buboes) associated with bubonic plague, your doctor may extract a fluid sample from them with a needle (aspiration).
Blood. Only if you have septicemic plague will you have Yersinia pestis germs in your circulation.
Lungs. Your doctor will use a small, flexible tube inserted through your nose or mouth and down your throat to collect mucus (sputum) or fluid from your airways to screen for pneumonic plague (endoscopy).

Treatment

You'll need to be admitted to the hospital as soon as your doctor detects you have the plague.

Comments

Write your first comment.

Leave us reply

Name

Email ID

Comment

Cookie Notice

Visual Stories

What is the carbohydrate content of coffee?

4 winter veggies you should eat regularly

5 Inflammation fighting food swaps

How can I quickly increase my iron level?

Foods to eat and avoid after dengue fever

What's the difference between Primary and Secondary hypertension?

Top six healthiest seeds to include in your diet

Finding balance: 3 easy exercises to help you walk steadily

Is metformin a wonder drug?

Intermittent Fasting (IF) not working for you? Here are five reasons why

6 Early Warning Indicators of Thyroid in Women

Tips for reducing sugar intake

World Heart Day: Is aspirin good for your health?

Vitamin D insufficiency has an interesting symptom

Is there a drug for Alzheimer’s disease?

Sore Throat checklist

Is COVID-19 vaccine effective on low immune people?

5 Easy Stretches to Enhance Flexibility

Want to lose weight ?Try these foods

5 non-dairy RICH CALCIUM sources

Steps to curb cravings for unhealthy foods

5 Superfoods women should eat

Best Immunity Building Nuts

Top 5 Fruits for Weight Loss

Top 5 healthy vegetables

5 lifestyle changes to control high blood pressure without medication

5 Ways to have good oral health

5 Tips to help you to quit smoking

Why is Yoga good for your health?

5 tips for healthy skin

5 Easy tips for weight loss

Top 5 Healthful Fruits

Pre-diabetes diagnosis: What does it really mean?

Categories