Plague: Types, History, Causes & Prevention

Overview

• Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
• There are three types: Bubonic, Septicemic, and Pneumonic.
• Historically caused deadly pandemics; still exists today, mainly in Africa, and occasionally in Asia, South America, and the U.S.

Types of Plague

1. Bubonic Plague

   • Most common and survivable.
   • Affects lymph nodes (swelling and pain).
   • Treated effectively with antibiotics (95% survival rate).

2. Septicemic Plague

   • Bacteria enter the bloodstream.
   • Can cause tissue destruction, gangrene, and organ failure.
   • Transmitted through flea bites or contact with infected animals’ fluids.

3. Pneumonic Plague

   • Affects the lungs, most dangerous and least common.
   • Spread through respiratory droplets.
   • Causes pneumonia and respiratory failure.

Symptoms and Causes

• General symptoms: Fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, dizziness.
• Bubonic: Swollen lymph nodes.
• Septicemic: Abdominal pain, bleeding.
• Pneumonic: Shortness of breath, chest pain, cough.
• Caused by flea or lice bites, contact with infected animals, or respiratory droplets from infected individuals.

Diagnosis and Tests

• Diagnosed by observing symptoms, particularly swollen lymph nodes.
• Laboratory tests on blood, mucus, or lymph node fluid samples.

Management and Treatment

• Requires immediate antibiotic treatment.
• Common antibiotics: Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Doxycycline, Gentamicin, Streptomycin.
• Early treatment is crucial for survival.

Prevention

• Avoid flea bites and contact with potentially infected animals.
• Measures: Clearing potential animal habitats, using insect repellent, managing pet flea exposure.
• No widely used vaccine, but research is ongoing.

Outlook / Prognosis

• Immediate treatment significantly increases survival rate.
• Untreated plague has high mortality.
• Complications: Gangrene, meningitis, organ and respiratory failure.

Living With and When to Contact Healthcare Provider

• Seek immediate medical attention if exposed or symptomatic, especially in areas where plague is known.

Historical Context

• Notable pandemics: Plague of Justinian, Black Death, and the Third Pandemic.
• Modern sanitation and antibiotics have reduced the mortality and spread.

Additional Notes

• Cleveland Clinic provides infectious disease care and emphasizes the importance of early treatment.