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Plague, Bubonic
Medical Questions » Plague, Bubonic
| Name: Plague, Bubonic |
| Also known as: Black Death |
| A severe generalized bacterial infection that is very rare in developed nations, but still present in many poorer Asian and African countries. |
Causes of Plague, Bubonic
The bacterium Yersinia pestis which normally infects rats, and passes from one rat to another, or from rat to humans, by the bite of a flea. |
Symptoms of Plague, Bubonic
Large, pus-filled glands (buboes) in the neck, groin and armpit; accompanied by a high fever, severe muscle pain, headache, rapid heart rate, profound tiredness and eventually coma. The infection may spread to the
blood and cause black spots (bruises thus the ' black death' ) under the skin. |
Tests for Plague, Bubonic
Diagnosis confirmed by special blood tests and cultures from the discharging glands. |
Treatment for Plague, Bubonic
Isolation in hospital, antibiotics and intravenous drip feeding. Prevented by a plague vaccine or taking tetracycline tablets every day.
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Complications of Plague, Bubonic of its treatment
Plague pneumonia or meningitis may develop. |
Likely Outcome of Plague, Bubonic
In good hospitals virtually all patients will recover, but untreated the death rate exceeds 50%, and death may occur within a few hours in patients who are malnourished or in poor health. Complications are fatal without
excellent medical care. |
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