Plague is a class of dangerous, life-threatening and infectious disease mainly caused by the gram-negative, rod-shaped coccobacillus called Yersinia pestis. This bacterium is mainly found in animals like rodents or rats and then it is transmitted through the insects that feed on the blood of these animals. This disease is called by several names: Black Plague – as the black rats are the carrier of this dangerous disease.
What is the Plague?
It is an old infectious disease that prevailed from medieval times in the 13th century that took millions of life in Europe. Hence It got the name as ‘Black Death’. This is a deadly contagious disease which spreads from person to person through the air or by any other means of contact. This disease is still in existence in some of the countries like South America, Africa, and many other countries.
The above figure shows a clear picture of how the disease transmits from the bacteria present in the rodent to human beings.
Types of Plague
There are three kinds of plague:
- Bubonic plague causes an infection in the lymph nodes of the body. The lymph nodes swell and cause serious pain. It is transmitted through the fleas that contain the bacteria.
- Pneumonic plague is a contagious disease that causes infection in the lungs. It is mainly transmitted from one person to another. In this condition, the patient develops several disorders such as chest pain, cough and etc.
- Septicemic plague- The infection of blood leads to Septicemic plague. This is a condition where the bacteria, almost kills the cells of blood in the human body causing death.
Causes of Plague
Plague is caused by various means of contacts resulting in widespread of the disease.
- It is caused by means of sneezing.
- Consumption of contaminated foods or water.
- By touching the soil or any surface that is contaminated.
- It is even caused by direct physical contact with the infected person.
- Bite from the insects which have previously fed on infected animals like a rat, squirrel, rodents, etc.
Symptoms of Plague
The signs and symptoms differ with the types and days of infection. Listed below are the few serious symptoms of Plague.
- General weakness
- Vomiting sensation
- Frequent headaches
- Breathing problems
- Swelling in the joints
- Muscle and joint pains
- Pain in the abdomen region
- Severe cough with pain in the chest region.
Diagnosis of Plague
To detect the presence of bacteria in the blood cell, a general fluid test is carried on.
- Blood test
- Fluid test from the swollen lymph nodes.
Treatment for the plague
As mentioned earlier, the plague is a life-threatening infection, which requires urgent care and treatment. The basic treatments for this disease require effective use of antibiotics regularly as this is a deadly kind of disease and good precautionary measures need to be applied to stop the spreading of this disease.
Important Questions on Plague
- What are the antibiotics used to treat plague?
There are various antibiotics which are effective in treating plague. Aminoglycosides, streptomycin, gentamicin, tetracyclines, doxycycline, fluoroquinolone and ciprofloxacin are few of them.
- What is Bronchoscopy?
A bronchoscopy is a small clinical procedure, which is mainly used to detect the presence of bacteria and other pathogens inside of the lungs airways, including the bronchi, by inserting the thin tube containing a light and camera either through the nose or mouth.
- How to prevent a deadly disease plague?
As per the saying, Prevention is better than Cure. There are certain safety measures which need be followed to prevent the plague infections:
- Vaccinate newborn babies with the plague vaccine.
- Keep your surrounding clean to reduce the rodent around your home.
- Avoid contact with the pathogens by regular use of gloves and face mask.
- Try to block the holes or gaps near your home to avoid the entry of mice and rats
- Regular use of insect repellents, wearing full clothes covering the skin to prevent flea bites.
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