Description
Caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis. There are three types: bubonic (lymph nodes), pneumonic (lung), and septicemic (blood). People can get the plague when they are bitten by a flea that carries the plague bacteria from an infected rodent. Certain forms of the plague can be spread from human to human via coughing. The disease is rare in the United States, but is seen in parts of California, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.
Symptoms
Bubonic plague: high fever, smooth, painful lymph gland swelling called a bubo, chills, general ill feeling (malaise), muscle pain, severe headache, seizures. Pneumonic plague: severe cough, frothy, bloody sputum, difficulty breathing. Septicemic plague: abdominal pain, blood clotting problems, diarrhea, fever, low blood pressure, nausea, organ failure, vomiting, death.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to identify the infection may be done and include: blood culture, sputum culture, and/or lymph node culture.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Blood culture, sputum culture, lymph node culture.
Specialists:
Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to identify the infection may be done and include: blood culture, sputum culture, and/or lymph node culture.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Blood culture, sputum culture, lymph node culture.
Specialists:
Infectious Disease Medicine, Pediatric Infectious Disease Medicine
Treatment
Persons with the plague need immediate treatment and should be given antibiotics within 24 hours of the first symptoms to prevent death. Other treatment includes oxygen, intravenous fluids, and respiratory support. People who have had contact with anyone infected by pneumonic plague are given prophylactic antibiotics.