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Pneumonic plague
What is plague?
Plague is an uncommon infectious disease of animals and humans caused by
Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) bacteria. Y. pestis is present in wild rodents
and their fleas in many areas around the world, including most of the
western United States.
Types of plague
Plague can be transmitted and cause illness in one or more of these forms:
- When the Y. pestis bacteria enters the body through the bite of an
infected flea or through a cut or break in the skin, the resulting
disease is called bubonic plague. “Buboes” are swollen painful lymph
nodes. Bubonic plague is the most common form of the disease and
untreated it may progress to septicemic plague (see below).
- When Y. pestis bacteria accumulate in the bloodstream, septic shock
occurs and the resulting disease is called septicemic plague.
- When Y. pestis bacteria are inhaled, they lodge in the lungs and the
resulting disease is called pneumonic plague. Pneumonic plague is of
particular concern because it can be spread from person to person.
How is pneumonic plague spread? What are the symptoms?
Pneumonic plague occurs when the Y. pestis bacterium is inhaled. The
disease may be spread through face-to-face contact when an infected person
coughs or sneezes. Because it enters the body by being inhaled, pneumonic
plague could be spread intentionally if the bacteria were put into aerosol
form.
The symptoms of pneumonic plague begin one to four days after exposure to
the bacteria. The symptoms include fever, headache, weakness and a bloody
or watery cough due to infection of the lungs (pneumonia). The pneumonia
rapidly becomes worse and — without early treatment — it can be fatal.
Preventive measures
If you have symptoms, consult a healthcare provider as soon as
possible. If you believe you have been intentionally exposed to pneumonic
plague, you should contact law enforcement officials immediately.
There is no vaccine against pneumonic plague. Antibiotics are used to
prevent illness in those who have been exposed to pneumonic plague.
Treatment for pneumonic plague
Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics is essential because
untreated plague — especially the pneumonic form — is almost always fatal.
You should use antibiotics to prevent or treat plague only under the
direction of your healthcare provider or local health department.
DOH Pub 821-023
Revised - March 2008
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