Description

The plague is a serious disease caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. The germs live mainly on small rodents and their fleas. The most common way for humans to obtain the plague is the bite of a flea.

The plague is a rare disease. The disease primarily occurs in only a few countries around the world. In the united States, the plague affects a couple of people each year in the rural or semi-rural areas of the western states.

Plague can usually be treated with antibiotics. If not treated, the disease is often fatal.

The plague is considered as a potential bioweapon. The government of the united states has plans and treatments in place of the disease, if it is used as a weapon.

Symptoms

There are three types of plague. The symptoms vary for each type.

The bubonic plague

The bubonic plague causes the swelling of the lymph nodes. These are small, bean-shaped filters in the body's immune system. Inflammation of a lymph node is called bubu. The word "black" is the description of this feature of the disease.

If a person has the bubonic plague buboes appear in the armpits, groin or neck. Buboes are sensitive or painful. They vary in size from less than half an inch (1 centimeter) of about 4 inches (10 centimeters).

Other symptoms of the bubonic plague may include:

  • Sudden onset of high fever and chills.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • Fatigue.
  • You do not feel well in general.
  • The weakness.
  • Muscle aches.
  • Rarely, sores on the skin.

Septicemic plague

Septicemic plague occurs when plague bacteria multiply in the blood. Buboes may not be present.

The first symptoms are very general and include:

  • Sudden onset of high fever and chills.
  • Extreme weakness.
  • Stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

More serious symptoms may develop with advanced disease, and organ failure. These include:

  • Bleeding from the mouth, nose or rectum, or under the skin.
  • Signs of shock, such as seizures, skin rash and low blood pressure.
  • Blackening and death of tissue, called gangrene, most commonly in the fingers of the hands, feet, nose and ears.

Pneumonic plague

Pneumonic plague affects the lungs. The disease may start in the lungs, or it can spread from the lymph nodes of the lungs. The symptoms may begin within a few hours after exposure, and get worse quickly.

Symptoms may include:

  • Sudden onset of high fever and chills.
  • Cough with phlegm with blood.
  • Difficulty or irregular breathing.
  • Pain in the chest.
  • Upset stomach and vomiting.
  • The pain of a headache.
  • The weakness.

If treatment is not started on the first day, the disease rapidly progresses to failure of the lungs, shock, and death.

When to see a doctor

Get immediate medical attention if you have a sudden high fever.

Get emergency medical help if you have a sudden high fever or other symptoms and you live in an area that has had cases of the plague. In the west of the united States, the majority of the cases have been in Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Cases have occurred in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The countries with frequent are the cases of Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Peru.

Causes

The plague is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. The bacteria that circulate in populations of small animals and their fleas.

In the west of the united States, these animals include:

  • Rats, mice and voles.
  • Squirrels.
  • Rabbits.
  • Prairie dogs.
  • Ground squirrels and chipmunks.

Other animals can contract the plague of eating small animals with the disease or pick up fleas. These may include:

  • Dogs and cats.
  • Coyotes.
  • The wild cats.

The disease in humans

People are more likely to get the plague from the bite of a flea. Fleas can come from small wild animals or pets.

People can also get the plague of direct contact with the tissues of a sick animal. For example, a hunter can pick up the disease, while peel, or manipulation of an animal with the disease.

Pneumonic plague can be transmitted from animals to humans, or from humans to humans. Small droplets in the air can carry the bacteria when a person or animal coughs or sneezes. People can become infected by breathing in these droplets or touch coughed-up mucus.

Risk factors

The risk of catching the plague is very low. In all the world, only a few thousands of people get the plague every year. In the united States, seven people, on average, get the plague every year.

Location

The pest has been reported in almost all parts of the world. The most common locations are Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Peru. In Madagascar there is usually an outbreak of plague each year.

The pest has been reported in the western united States, with more frequency in Arizona, California, Colorado, and New Mexico.

The disease mostly survives in the populations of rodents and their fleas in the rural and semi-rural areas. It has also been produced in cities with overcrowding, poor sanitation or large rat populations.

Jobs

People are at risk of catching the plague if you are working outdoors in areas where the pest transport of animals are common. The people who work in veterinary clinics in these regions also have a risk of coming into contact with dogs and cats with the disease.

Hobbies

Camping, hunting or hiking in areas where the plague-the transport of animals reside may increase the risk of the bite of an infected flea.

Biological weapons

The government of the united states considered that the plague of a possible biological weapon. There is evidence that it is being used or developed as a weapon in the past. The U.S. government has guidelines for the treatment and prevention of the plague used as a weapon.

Complications

Complications of the plague may include:

  • The gangrene. Blood clots can form in the small blood vessels of the fingers of the hands, feet, nose and ears. This can cause the tissues to die. The dead tissue must be removed.
  • Meningitis. Rarely, the pest can cause swelling and the disease of the protection of the tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord. This condition is called meningitis.
  • Pharyngeal plague. In rare cases, the disease can be present in the tissue behind the nasal cavity and the mouth called the pharynx. This is called pharyngeal plague.

Death

The risk of death in people with all types of plague in the united States is around 11%.

The majority of people with bubonic plague survive with a timely diagnosis and treatment. Death is more likely with the septicemic plague, because it is difficult to diagnose and is quickly getting worse. Treatment may unintentionally be delayed.

Pneumonic plague is a severe and gets worse quickly. The risk of death is high if treatment is not started within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms.

Prevention

The vaccine is Not available, but scientists are working to develop one. Antibiotics can help prevent infection if you were likely to be exposed to the plague.

People with pneumonic plague are isolated during the treatment to prevent the spread of the disease. Health care workers should wear protective masks, gowns, gloves, and goggles when you treat someone with pneumonic plague.

To reduce the risk of exposure

If you live or spend time in the outdoors, where plague occurs:

  • Rodent-proof your home. Remove areas of nesting of rodents, such as piles of brush, rock, wood and garbage. Do not leave pet food in areas that rodents can easily access. If you become aware of the rodents that live in your house, to take measures to eliminate them.
  • Protect your pets. The use of the flea-control medication for your pets. Talk with your veterinarian about the best options. If your pet is sick, get a timely treatment. Do not allow the pets to sleep with you if you are outside of the areas where plague occurs.
  • The protection of animals. When the manipulation of a dead animal, wear gloves to avoid contact between the skin and the animal. Call your local health department if you have concerns about the removal of a dead animal.
  • The use of insect repellent on skin and clothing. When you are outdoors, use insect repellents that are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. These include products that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-3,8-diol, or 2-undecanone. Do not use a spray directly on the face. Do not use products with OLE or PMD on children under 3 years of age. Do not use insect repellent on a child younger than 2 months of age.

Diagnosis

A health care provider is likely to make a probable diagnosis of plague is based upon:

  • Symptoms.
  • A possible exposure to the disease during the last outdoor activity or travel.
  • Contact with a dead or sick animal.
  • Known from flea bites or it is known that the exposure to rodents.

The treatment is likely to start, while your provider of waiting for the results of one or more laboratory tests to identify the Yersinia pestis bacterium. Samples for testing can come from:

  • The liquid boils.
  • Blood.
  • The mucous membranes of the lungs.
  • The fluid that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord.

Treatment

Treatment for the plague begins as soon as the doctor suspected of the disease. The treatment is usually done in the hospital. Antibiotics that may be used include the following:

  • The gentamicin.
  • Doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin, others).
  • Ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
  • Levofloxacin.
  • Moxifloxacin (Avelox).
  • Chloramphenicol.

Preparing for your appointment

Plague symptoms are sudden and severe. If coughing or sneezing, you should wear a mask.

It is very likely to go to an emergency room. If plague is suspected, you're going to see a specialist in infectious diseases.

What you can do

If you are helping a person with plague-like symptoms, you can prepare for the appointment by taking the following steps:

  • Report any travel or possible exposure to rodents or dead animals.
  • Write down your symptoms, including when they started.
  • Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
  • Write questions for the health care professional.

If the pest is a possible diagnosis, you can ask the following questions or ask in the name of the sick person:

  • What are other possible causes of your symptoms or condition?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • How long will it take to confirm the diagnosis?
  • Will I have to stay in isolation?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?

Do not hesitate to ask any other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider is likely that several questions, including:

  • When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
  • You have recently traveled to areas where plague is common?
  • You have manipulated the wild animals or domestic cats?
  • Have you handled any dead animal?
  • Are you aware of being bitten by fleas?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of the Plague