What Causes the Plague Disease and How Can It Be Prevented?
The plague disease is a very serious and fatal bacterial infection that is transmitted mostly by fleas. The organism responsible for causing the plague disease is known as Yersinia pestis mostly resides on the bodies of small rodents.
These organisms have been found mostly in the semi-rural and rural regions of the United States, Asia, and Africa. They can be transmitted to human beings who are affected by the bites of fleas that have been feasting on the infected rodents. Most people that handle these infected animals also have a high risk of developing the disease.
Plague Disease History
The plague disease was also known as the Black Death or the black plague disease during the medieval periods of time. It is also presumed that this disease was behind some of the serious epidemics in history such as the striking of the Philistines, as explained in the biblical books. The unequivocal proof for the existence of plague comes from the sudden discovery of the genomic traces of the bacteria. Some evidence collected from the Neolithic farmers’ teeth in Sweden also proved that the bacteria existed in the regions of Europe and Asia between 3000 and 800 BCE. However, it still seems to be impossible to figure out the exact origins of the disease in history.
In the present day, this disease is found to have an effect on less than about 5000 people every single year. This disease can prove to be very fatal if the symptoms are not properly treated with antibiotics. Some of the most common causes of plague result in tender and swollen lymph nodes also known as buboes that are situated in the neck, groin, and armpits. Yet, the deadliest and the rarest type of plague has been seen to affect the human lungs and can be transmitted from one person to another.
Symptoms of Plague Disease
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The plague disease can be divided into 3 important types known as the bubonic plague, the pneumonic plague, and the septicemic plague. The classification of the disease is done on the basis of the part of the body that is affected by the plague. The symptoms and signs of the disease might vary according to the plague type.
1. Bubonic Plague
This type of plague is one of the most common occurrences. The name comes from the lymph nodes that are swollen. The lymph nodes are also known as buboes and hence the name bubonic plague. The symptoms of this type of plague might be seen just a week after the infection occurs. These symptoms include:
Sudden occurrence of chills and fever
Malaise or fatigue
Aches in the muscle
Headaches
2. Septicemic Plague
This is one of the types of plague disease that occurs when the bacteria multiply in the bloodstream of the person. Some common symptoms and signs of the disease include:
Chills and fever
Extreme weakness
Bleeding from the nose, rectum, mouth, or the skin
Vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain
Blacking of the tissue and gangrene mostly in the regions of the toes, nose, and fingers
Shock
3. Pneumonic Plague
The pneumonic plague targets the lungs of the body. It is one of the rarest forms of plague but is certainly the deadliest because there is a risk of transmitting the disease from one person to another via droplets of cough. The symptoms of this type of plague can begin just mere hours after the person is infected. The symptoms and signs include:
Bloody mucus and severe coughing
Vomiting and nausea
Difficulty in breathing
Headaches
High fever and severe chills
Chest pain and weakness
One of the dangers of the pneumonic plague is that it can progress really fast and can cause shock plus respiratory failure within a span of two days. In order to treat pneumonic plague, a strong dose of antibodies is essential right after the symptoms of plague disease start developing.
What is Plague Disease Caused By?
The bacteria responsible for the plague is known as yersinia pestis and it is transmitted in human beings through the biting of fleas that have been feeding on the infected rodents and animals. Some examples of infected rodents include rats, squirrels, mice, rabbits, and chipmunks. Certain prairie dogs and voles can also be infected with the bacteria and cause this disease in humans.
Also, plague disease caused by a sudden break in the skin is another common cause. If the broken part of the skin comes in contact with the blood of an animal that is infected, it can lead to the spreading of the disease into the system. Domestic dogs and cats also have a high chance of getting infected when they suffer from flea bites or eat infected rodents.
An exception to that is the pneumonic plague that can be spread by inhaling the cough droplets in the air by a person who is infected. The complications from the black and white plague disease can result in problems such as meningitis, gangrene, and death.
Conclusion
It is advised that in case the symptoms start developing, seeing the doctor will be the right thing to do. They can start you on antibiotics which can help in stopping the infection from spreading. Consulting with the doctor can also help people achieve the best treatment of plague disease.
FAQs on Plague Disease: Key Facts, Symptoms & Preventive Measures
1. What is plague disease?
Plague is a serious and potentially fatal infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. This illness primarily affects small mammals and their fleas. Humans can contract the disease through the bite of an infected flea or by handling an infected animal.
2. What are the main types of plague?
Plague is classified into three main types based on the part of the body that is affected. These are:
- Bubonic plague: The most common form, which causes swollen and painful lymph nodes called buboes.
- Septicemic plague: Occurs when the bacteria multiply in the bloodstream, leading to fever, shock, and bleeding into the skin and other organs.
- Pneumonic plague: The most serious form, which affects the lungs. It is the only type of plague that can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.
3. What are the common symptoms of plague?
Symptoms of plague vary depending on the type. Common signs include a sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, and weakness. In bubonic plague, patients develop painful, swollen lymph nodes (buboes). Septicemic plague causes symptoms like abdominal pain, shock, and bleeding, while pneumonic plague leads to chest pain, shortness of breath, and a cough with bloody mucus.
4. How does the plague bacterium spread to humans?
The plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis, typically spreads through a cycle involving rodents and fleas. Rodents, like rats, act as natural reservoirs for the bacteria. Fleas that feed on these infected rodents become vectors and can transmit the bacteria to humans through their bites. In the case of pneumonic plague, it can also spread directly between people through inhaling infectious droplets.
5. Why is plague historically known as the “Black Death”?
Plague earned the name “Black Death” during the devastating pandemic in the 14th century. The name comes from a characteristic symptom of septicemic plague, where the infection can cause blood clots and tissue death (gangrene). This turns the skin on extremities like fingers and toes black, giving the disease its grim nickname.
6. What makes pneumonic plague more dangerous than bubonic plague?
Pneumonic plague is considered more dangerous for two main reasons. First, it is the most virulent form of the disease with a very high fatality rate if not treated immediately. Second, unlike bubonic plague which requires a flea bite, pneumonic plague can be transmitted directly from person to person through the air, making it highly contagious and capable of causing rapid epidemics.
7. How is plague disease diagnosed and treated?
Plague is diagnosed by taking samples of blood, sputum (from the lungs), or pus from a swollen lymph node and testing them for the Yersinia pestis bacterium. Prompt treatment is crucial for recovery. The disease is treated with powerful and readily available antibiotics. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly increase the chances of survival.
8. What are the best ways to prevent a plague infection?
Preventing plague involves reducing the risk of exposure to infected fleas and animals. Key preventive measures include:
- Controlling rodent populations around homes and workplaces.
- Using insect repellent containing DEET to prevent flea bites.
- Avoiding direct contact with sick or dead animals, especially rodents.
- Wearing gloves if you must handle potentially infected animals.
