الطاعون (Plague)

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Plague

On this page, you will find everything you need to know about the plague.

What isYersinia pestisthe plague?

The plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is commonly found in small mammals and fleas. The disease spreads among animals through fleas, and because it is a zoonotic bacterium, it can also be transmitted from animals to humans.

What are the symptoms of the plague?

  • Plague symptoms depend on how the patient is exposed to the plague bacteria. The plague can take different forms, but the most common ones are bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic.
  • Bubonic plague:
  • The incubation period for bubonic plague is usually 2 to 8 days, resulting from a bite from an infected insect. Its symptoms typically include:
  • Fever.
  • Headache.
  • Chills.

Weakness or fatigue.

  • One or more swollen and painful lymph nodes.
  • The bacteria multiply in the lymph node near where entered the human body. If not treated with appropriate antibiotics, the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body.
  • Septicemic plague:
  • The incubation period for septicemic plague is not well defined. It results from an insect bite or infection and symptoms may appear within days, including:
  • Fever.
  • Chills.

Extreme weakness.

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Shock, and perhaps bleeding in the skin and other organs.
  • The skin and other tissues may turn black and die, especially on the fingers, toes, and nose. Septicemic plague can occur as the first symptom of the plague or may develop from untreated bubonic plague.
  • Pneumonic plague:
  • The incubation period for pneumonic plague is usually only 1 to 3 days. It occurs from inhaling infectious droplets or may develop from untreated bubonic or septicemic plague after the bacteria spread to the lungs. Its symptoms include:

Fever.

Headache.

  • Weakness.
  • Rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and sometimes bloody or watery sputum.

What causesY. pestisthe plague?

The plague has various causes, such as:

Inhaling infectious droplets or developing from untreated bubonic or septicemic plague after bacteria spread to the lungs.

  • An insect bite or infection from another person.

Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis), which is carried by rats and other animals. However, humans usually become infected through exposure to bites from fleas or lice carrying the bacteria.

How is the plague diagnosed?

The doctor will take the patient’s medical history and perform a clinical examination. The treating physician may conduct or order additional procedures such as:

Taking samples from the patient, particularly blood or part of the swollen lymph gland, and submitting them for laboratory testing.

What are the treatment methods for the plague?

  • The plague is an extremely serious disease but can be treated with available antibiotics. The earlier a patient seeks medical care, the more effectively they can be treated for the plague, increasing their chances for complete recovery.
  • Close contacts of patients with severe pneumonic plague may be evaluated and possibly placed under observation. They may also receive preventive antibiotic treatment, depending on the type and timing of personal contact with the patient.
  • What are the prevention methods for the plague?
  • Several recommendations should be followed to prevent the plague when there is an outbreak, such as:

Remove brush, rock piles, junk, crowded firewood, and potential food supplies for rodents, like pet and wildlife food. Make your home and attachments rodent-resistant.

Wear gloves if you are handling or skinning potentially infected animals to prevent contact between your skin and plague bacteria.

  • Use insect repellent if you suspect exposure to rodent fleas during activities like camping, hiking, or working outdoors.
  • Keep fleas off your pets by using flea control products. Animals that roam freely are more likely to come into contact with plague-infected animals or fleas and bring them into homes.
  • What are the complications of contracting the plague?

There are many rapidly occurring and life-threatening complications of the plague, including:

Tissue death and limb loss due to gangrene.

 

Inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis).

Respiratory failure.

When should you see a doctor?

 

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