Causes of plague

Plague is a severe bacterial infection transmitted from animals to humans. Plague epidemics are quite common in history. The disease is also referred to as Black Death because of its reputation for devastating epidemics.

Plague appearances are rare nowadays and can be contained with preventive steps.

Causes of Plague

The Yersinia pestis bacteria cause plague. Different methods of spreading bacteria can result in different types of plague.
Bubonic plague, the most common kind, is caused by rats or rodents who spread the bacteria. Animals like cats, dogs, squirrels, lice, fleas and mice also spread the disease. The bacteria do not die easily when exposed to the elements and can prevail even in dead animals. Often, the spread of the disease through air can be fast and also deadly.

Types of Plague

There are three main types of plague. The plague you contract depends on how the plague-causing bacteria enter your body.

Bubonic Plague – This is the most common type. Being bitten by an infected animal can spread infection. This type affects the lymph nodes and causes a swelling in the lymph nodes. As the lymph nodes control and affect your body’s immune system, bubonic plague can wreak havoc very quickly. If left untreated, almost 90 percent of cases are fatal.

Septicemic Plague – In this type of plague, the bacteria enters the bloodstream and starts an infection. The bacteria can enter the bloodstream directly though exposed wounds or through the skin. This is also the next step in the spread of infection in bubonic plague when left untreated.

Pneumonic Plague – Pneumonic plague is an infection that spreads between humans. In pneumonic plague, the infection spreads through bacteria transmitted through air. Pneumonic plague often occurs along with one of the other kinds of plague, although this is not strictly necessary. This form of plague typically occurs if bubonic or septicemic plague is not treated and infection spreads to the lungs.

Signs and Symptoms of Plague

Within six days of being exposed to the bacteria, a patient will show symptoms of plague.

Bubonic Plague:

Finding infected flea bites in the groin or the armpit that are the size of an egg and tender to touch, called buboes.
Headache
Fever and chills

Septicemic Plague:

Fever and chills
Diarrhea
Bleeding from several orifices like mouth, nose or rectum
Gangrene in extremities

Pneumonic Plague:

Difficulty breathing
Fever
Coughing up blood
Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis of Plague

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, please seek professional help immediately. There are tests that can determine the presence of such an infection. Treatment within the first 24 hours is a must to prevent fatalities. In the United States, areas like New Mexico and Arizona have had incidences of plague in the recent past. Plague is known to show up in areas where hygiene is not top priority. If you have visited such areas, immediately seek help.