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Plague - Treatment

Alternative Names

Bubonic plague; Pneumonic plague; Septicemic plague

Treatment:

Persons with the plague need immediate treatment. If treatment is not received within 24 hours of when the first symptoms occured, death may be unavoidable.

Antibiotics are used to treat plague. Oxygen, intravenous fluids, and respiratory support are usually also prescribed.

Patients with pneumonic plague are strictly isolated from other patients. People who have had contact with anyone infected by pneumonic plague are observed closely and are given antibiotics as a preventive measure.

Expectations (prognosis):

Without treatment, about 50% of those with bubonic plague die. Almost all persons with pneumonic plague die if not treated. Treatment reduces the death rate to 5%.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms develop after exposure to fleas or rodents, especially if you live in or have visited an area where plague occurs.

Flea

Flea bite - close-up

Antibodies

Reviewed last on: 6/29/2007
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.

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.

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