plague
any EPIDEMIC disease that results in a high death rate and specifically the bubonic plague, which is transmitted to humans from infected rats by the rat flea. After an INCUBATION period of two to six days, the symptoms occur as headache, weakness, fever, aches in the limbs and delirium. The LYMPH NODES (especially in the groin) swell and become painful (buboeshence 'bubonic') and may brust, releasing PUS . In other cases, the infectve fluid may not be released and there may be SUBCUTANEOUS bleeding with creation of black patches (gangrenous) on the skin, leading to ULCERS (hence the old term, black death). If the BACTERIA enter the BLOOD (septicaemic plague), death follows rapidly, but the most serious is pneumonic plague, when the LUNGS are affected. preventive actions are very important in such cases, particularly to eliminate with carriers. However, the disease can be treated effectively with ANTIBIOTICS and SULPHONAMIDES .
Plague is an infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. The bacteria are found mainly in rats and in the fleas that feed on them. People and other animals can get plague from rat or flea bites. In the past, plague destroyed entire civilizations. Today plague is uncommon, due to better living conditions and antibiotics.
There are three forms of plague:
- Bubonic plague causes the tonsils, adenoids, spleen, and thymus to become inflamed. Symptoms include fever, aches, chills, and tender lymph glands.
- In septicemic plague, bacteria multiply in the blood. It causes fever, chills, shock, and bleeding under the skin or other organs.
- Pneumonic plague is the most serious form. Bacteria enter the lungs and cause pneumonia. People with the infection can spread this form to others. This type could be a bioterror agent.
Lab tests can diagnose plague. Treatment is a strong antibiotic. There is no vaccine.
plague