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Plague

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Bubonic plague; Pneumonic plague; Septicemic plague

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
  • Commonly 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

References:

Kool JL. Risk of person-to-person transmission of pneumonic plague. Clin Infect Dis . 2005 Apr 15;40(8):1166-72.

Cobbs CG, Chansolme DH. Plague. Dermatol Clin . 2004 Jul;22(3):303-12, vi.

Josko D. Yersinia pestis: still a plague in the 21st century. Clin Lab Sci . 2004 Winter;17(1):25-9.

• Review Date: 6/29/2007
• Reviewed By: Cyrus Badshah, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine,College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; Assistant AttendingPhysician, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & MedicalDirector, Chest (TB)Clinic and Directly Observed Therapy Program, HarlemHospital Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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