Bubonic plague is an infectious disease that is believed to have caused several epidemics or pandemics throughout history. Bubonic plague is the most common form of plague which causes swollen, tender lymph glands (called buboes); other forms are Septicemic plague which occurs when plague bacteria multiply in the blood and Pneumonic plague which occurs when the lungs are infected.

1 Infection;
It is primarily a disease of rodents, particularly marmots (in which the most virulent strains of plague are primarily found), but also black rats, prairie dogs, chipmunks, squirrels and other similar large rodents. HumanHuman beings are defined variously in biological, spiritual, and cultural terms, or in combinations thereof. Biologically, they are classified as Homo sapiens ( Latin for knowing man , a primate species of mammal with a highly developed brain. In spiritua infection occurs when people come into contact with infected rodents.

The disease is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestisYersinia pestis is a species of gram-negative coccobacillus (i. rod-shaped bacterium) in the family Enterobacteriaceae, genus Yersinia; it is the infectious agent of bubonic plague. This organism can also cause pneumonic plague and septicemic plague. and is usually transmitted by the biteA bite is a wound received from the mouth of an animal. Bite wounds raise a number of issues from the viewpoint of medicine in addition to the physical wounds they leave, including the possibility of: poison infection by bacteria or other pathogens; and r of fleaFor the musician, a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, see Michael Balzary. Tungidae Sticktight and Chigoe fleas Pulicidae Common fleas Coptopsyllidae Vermipsyllidae Carnivore fleas Rhopalopsyllidae Marsupial fleas Hypsophthalmidae Stephanocircidae Pygis from an infected host, often a black rat. The bacteria are transferred from the blood of infected rats to the rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopsis). The bacillus multiplies in the stomach of the flea, blocking it. When the flea next bites a mammal, the consumed blood is regurgitated along with the bacillus into the bloodstream of the bitten animal. Any serious outbreak of plague is started by other disease outbreaks in the rodent population. During these outbreaks, infected fleas that have lost their normal hosts seek other sources of blood.

what are symptom?
Bubonic plague symptoms appear suddenly, usually after 2 - 5 days of exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms include:
* Chills
* General ill feeling (malaise)
* High fever
* Muscle pain
* Severe headache
* Seizures
* Smooth, painful lymph gland swelling called a bubo
* Commonly found in the groin, but may occur in the armpits or neck, most often at the site of the initial infection (bite or scratch)
* Pain may occur in the area before the swelling appears

Pneumonic plague symptoms appear suddenly, typically 2 - 3 days after exposure. They include:
* Difficulty breathing
* Frothy, bloody sputum
* Severe cough

Septicemic plague may cause death even before its symptoms occur. Symptoms can include:
* Abdominal pain
* Bleeding due to blood clotting problems
* Diarrhea
* Fever
* Low blood pressure
* Nausea
* Organ failure
* Vomiting

Exams and Tests
Tests that may be done include:
* Blood culture
* Culture of lymph node aspirate (fluid taken from an affected lymph node or bubo)
* Culture of sputum

Treatment
People with the plague need immediate treatment. If treatment is not received within 24 hours of when the first symptoms occur, death may be unavoidable.
Antibiotics such as streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, or ciprofloxacin are used to treat plague. Oxygen, intravenous fluids, and respiratory support usually are also needed.

Patients with pneumonic plague are strictly isolated from other patients. People who have had contact with anyone infected by pneumonic plague are watched carefully and are given antibiotics as a preventive measure.

Outlook (Prognosis)
Without treatment, about 50 - 90% of those with bubonic plague die. Almost all people with pneumonic plague die if not treated. Treatment reduces the death rate to 50%.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you develop plague symptoms after exposure to fleas or rodents, especially if you live in or have visited an area where plague occurs.

Prevention
Rat control and surveillance of the disease in the wild rodent population are the main measures used to control the risk of epidemics. A vaccination is available for high-risk workers, but its effectiveness is not clearly established.
 

  Bubonic Plague

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