Symptoms:

Bubonic plague symptoms appear suddenly, usually after 2-5 days of exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms include:

• High fever
• Smooth, painful lymph gland swelling called a buboe
  • Commony found in the groin, but may occur in the armpits or neck
  • Pain may occur in the area before the swelling
• Chills
• General ill feeling (malaise)
• Muscle pain
• Severe headache
• Seizures

Pneumonic plague symptoms appear suddenly, typically 2-3 days after exposure. They include:

• Severe cough
• Frothy, bloody sputum
• Difficulty breathing

Septicemic plague may cause death even before the symptoms occur. Symptoms can include:

• Abdominal pain
• Blood clotting problems
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Organ failure
• Vomiting

Signs and tests:

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood culture
• Culture of sputum
• Lymph node culture