Bubonic Plague: Symptoms, Treatment &Amp;amp; Transmission

Image via Wikipedia

Transmission

The fleas that carry the bubonic plague are commonly found on mice, rats and other rodents. When the rodents die the fleas seek out another host. The bacteria (yersinia pestis bacilli) enters the body through the skin, via the bite. Once the bacteria has multiplied within the host body and has established itself, it moves to the lymph nodes, where it continues to multiply. From there it continues throughout the lymphatic system. Bubonic plague can progress to lethal septicemic plague, if the blood has become infected and in some cases, if the disease spreads to the lungs into pneumonic plague . This is when it becomes more infectious as this causes the patient to cough – thereby spreading the disease.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of the bubonic plague are swollen, painful lymph glands (buboes). These swellings are most commonly found in the armpits, neck and groin. As the disease progresses the lymph nodes can start to hemorrhage (bleed) they may then become more swollen and eventually necrotic (premature death of cells.) In some cases,  the blood can become poisoned leading to septicemic plague, and if the patient develops pneumonia this is then classified as pneumonic plague.

Other symptoms of the bubonic plague may include

• spots on the skin that are red at first and then turn black
• heavy breathing
• continuous blood vomiting
• aching limbs
• coughing
• terrible pain – this pain is often caused by decaying, or decomposing of skin whilst the infected person is still alive.

Treatment

The bubonic plague bacterium (Yersinia pestis bacilli) can resist phagocytosis (being engulfed by white blood cells) and even reproduce inside phagocytes(the white blood cells that protect the body by engulfing pathogens) and kill them.

Currently there are several categories of antibiotics that are used to effectively treat the bubonic plague. These include

• the aminoglycosides: streptomycin and gentamicin,
• the tetracyclines: tetracycline and doxycycline
• the fluoroquinolone: ciprofloxacin.

Patient that contract the bubonic plague in modern times usually recover completely as long as they receive prompt diagnosis and treatment.

You might like my other science articles:

Hurricanes, Tropical Storms, Cyclones, and Typhoons

Earthquakes: Causes, Effects and Prediction, Including the Recent California Earthquake

The Perseids Meteor Shower – August 2009

Lunar Eclipse: August 5-6, 2009

Viewing Venus and The International Space Station on August 17th