Diseases
plague
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Plague is a disease that affects humans and other mammals. It is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Humans usually get plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an animal infected with plague.
Symptoms
- bubonic plague: situated in the groin, armpit or neck, about the size of a chick
- septicemic plague: fever and chills extreme weakness abdominal pain, diarrhea.
- pneumonic plague: cough, with bloody mucus (sputum) difficulty breathing, fever
Causes
- the plague bacteria, yersinia pestis, is transmitted to humans through the bites of fleas that have previously fed on infected animals
Risk factors
- plague outbreaks are most common in rural and semirural areas that are overcrowd
- veterinarians and their assistants have a higher risk
Diagnosis
- blood test.
- buboes. if you have the swollen lymph nodes (buboes)
- lung: mucus (sputum) or fluid from the airways
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is plague?
Plague is a disease that affects humans and other mammals. It is caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. Humans usually get plague after being bitten by a rodent flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an animal infected with plague.
What are the symptoms of plague?
bubonic plague: situated in the groin, armpit or neck, about the size of a chick, septicemic plague: fever and chills extreme weakness abdominal pain, diarrhea., pneumonic plague: cough, with bloody mucus (sputum) difficulty breathing, fever
What causes plague?
the plague bacteria, yersinia pestis, is transmitted to humans through the bites of fleas that have previously fed on infected animals
Which medicines are used for plague?
levofloxacin, streptomycin
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.