• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Plague

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

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.

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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.