Plague

Description

A serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. It is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas. It is famous for killing millions of people in Europe during the Middle Ages (the "Black Death").

Common Symptoms

• Bubonic plague: Sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, and weakness and one or more swollen, tender and painful lymph nodes (called buboes).
• Pneumonic plague: Fever, headache, weakness, and a rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough.

Common Causes

• Infection with the bacterium Yersinia pestis, usually transmitted by flea bites. It can also be transmitted by handling an infected animal or inhaling infectious droplets from an infected person (pneumonic plague).

Treatment Information