Plague

The symptoms of bubonic plague begin 1 to 7 days following the bite of an infected flea. For pneumonic plague, symptoms begin 1 to 4 days after contact with an infected person or animal. The first symptoms of bubonic plague include the sudden onset of fever with painful swelling of the lymph glands, called buboes, in the areas closest to the flea bite (typically, in the groin, armpit, or neck). Chills, muscle aches, weakness, fatigue, nausea, and headache may also occur. If the infection spreads to the lungs, it causes pneumonia that is highly contagious and often fatal.

Pneumonic plague is causes fever, swelling of the lymph glands, cough, and chest pain. Persons with this form of plague may cough up blood.

Bubonic plague is spread to humans from the bite of infected fleas, or by being scratched or bitten by infected animals. Bubonic plague is not directly spread from person to person. Pneumonic plaque can be spread through the air (through coughing or sneezing) and through direct and close contact with an infected person or animal.

Your physician will take samples to test for the bacteria if he or she suspects you have plague. Depending on which type of plague is suspected, samples may be taken from swollen lymph nodes, a blood sample, or respiratory samples.

Antibiotics can be prescribed by a doctor to treat plague. It is very important to detect and treat the disease early in its course. If not treated, about half of those with bubonic plague will die. Prompt treatment can greatly reduce the chance of dying from plague. Persons who are infected with pneumonic plague should be isolated from well people for 3 full days after the start of antibiotic treatment.