Plague
Plague
is a serious infectious disease that is common in rodents but is also
transmissible to humans through the bite of rat fleas. Large worldwide epidemics
have been recorded as early as the fourteenth century. Plague still occurs
sporadically throughout the world.
The World Health Organization (WHO) considers plague one of the four most
likely pathogens to be used in biological warfare (a state in which infectious
agents or toxic chemicals are being used as a weapon of mass destruction).
How is plague transmitted?
Plague is transmitted through
fleas that have become infected with the Yersinia pestis germ from feeding on
infected rodents such as rats, chipmunks, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, mice,
and other mammals. The disease is transmitted when an infected flea then feeds
on humans. Plague is contagious in humans when an infected person has pneumonia
and coughs infected saliva droplets in the air, which, in turn, are inhaled by a
healthy person. The incubation period for plague is usually between two and six
days following exposure to infected rodents or fleas.
What are the symptoms of plague?
The following are the
most common symptoms of plague. However, each individual may experience symptoms
differently. Symptoms may include:
- Swollen and tender lymph glands with pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Extreme exhaustion
The swollen gland is also called a "bubo," which gave rise to the term
"bubonic plague." If left untreated, plague can enter the bloodstream and result
in severe and often fatal pneumonia, with symptoms such as:
- High fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Bloody sputum
The symptoms of plague may resemble other medical conditions or problems.
Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
How is plague diagnosed?
Diagnosis of plague includes
blood cultures to test for plague bacteria and microscopic examinations of the
lymph glands, blood, and sputum samples.
What is the treatment for plague?
Specific treatment for
plague will be determined by your physician based on:
- Your age, overall health, and medical history
- Extent of the condition
- Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
Treatment will include:
- Hospitalization
- Medical isolation
- Antibiotic treatment (i.e., streptomycin, gentamicin, tetracyclines, or
chloramphenicol)
When left untreated, plague can result in rapid death. Approximately 14
percent of all plague cases in the US each year are fatal.
Always consult your physician for more information.