Plague
Plague
It is a bacterial infection which is cause by the bacterium, yersinia pestis which is transmitted by the fleas, this infection mostly commonly found in rural areas of united states, Africa and Asia. Fleas got this bacterial by biting the rodents or humans who are carrier of this infection.
Symptoms
There are three types of plague bubonic, pneumonic and septicemic, signs and symptoms include:
- Muscles aches
- Fatigue
- Tender
- Fever and chills
- Extreme weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Shock
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Sputum
- Cough
Causes
Yersinia pestis transmitted by following organism:
- Voles
- Mice
- Chipmunks
- Rabbits
- Rats
- Prairie dogs
The plague bacteria, Yersinia pestis, is transmitted to humans through the bites of fleas that have previously fed on infected animals, such as:
- Rats
- Mice
- Squirrels
- Rabbits
- Prairie dogs
- Chipmunks
- Voles
Complications
If left untreated it may cause the following complications:
- Meningitis
- Gangrene
- Death
Diagnosis
After taking history your doctor recommends the following tests:
- For pneumonic plague sputum culture test or bronchoscopy.
- Bubonic plague can be diagnosis by taking fluid from lymph nodes
- Blood test to check the septicemic plague
Treatment
Medications
After diagnosing the condition your doctor will start the medications immediately to prevent the complications, medications include:
- Chloramphenicol
- Moxifloxacin
- Levofloxacin
- Ciprofloxacin
- Gentamicin
- Doxycycline