Bubonic Plague

Bubonic Plague
Bubonic plague is one of the deadliest bacterial infections that have caused death of millions of people just in a very short time span. This type of bacterial infection is caused by the gram-negative bacillus called Yersinia Pestis. This bacterium is responsible for bubonic, pneumonic and septicemic plague (the intensity and dreadful nature of the illness differs in these three illnesses).

How bubonic plague spreads?
The bubonic plague infects animals as well as humans. Flies and airborne insects are the main cause of spread of this disease. Flies spread this disease from dead and infected animals such as squirrels, stray dogs, goats, rabbits, hares, coyotes, rodents, marmots and rats etc. to humans.
The other ways this disease spreads to animals or humans is through direct contact of these animals or humans to any infected animal and through animal bites.
The bubonic plague may also take the form of airborne disease (pneumonic plague), which makes it even deadlier than its other forms.
Bubonic plague as compared to its other forms (pneumonic and septicemic plague) is lesser lethal and does not spread from one person to other unless it converts into other type of (pneumonic or septicemic) plague.

What are the symptoms of bubonic plague?
Symptoms of bubonic plagues starts showing up after the incubation period of about 3 to 7 days. The symptoms are as given below:
1) Patient experiences very high fever with sever headache
2) Malaise
3) Tachycardia
4) Regional large lymph nodes (buboes) that are tender in touch are developed on the patient’s body (specifically near the inguinal area, groin, axilla and are near neck), these nodes feel hot when touched.
5) Inflammation of area surrounding the buboes
6) Development of purpuric eruption in also a common symptom
7) The infected patient may develop medical complications such as pneumonia, meningitis and blood poisoning etc.

How bubonic plague is diagnosed?
Symptoms such as high fever, development of buboes in inguinal area, sever headache etc. are very much helpful in preliminary diagnostic tests. Wright’s or Wayson’s Stain test also helps in diagnosing bubonic plague (which produces a safety pin also known as bipolar effect in bacteria causing bubonic plague). Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA), Giesma as well as Gram Stain tests are two more tests which are used to diagnose bubonic plague. Gram Stain test is considered to be one of the most reliable tests.

How is bubonic plague treated?
It is very important to start treatment of this disease as soon as the symptoms are diagnosed and disease is confirmed.
Once diagnosed for bubonic plague, doctor may chose treatment based upon the patient’s medical history and severity of the disease. In ancient times when use of antibiotics was not known, the plague was cured by burning the buboes with blood-hot iron rod, which was a barbaric method but did save many lives.
In modern times, use of antibiotics has taken place of burning the buboes. Antibiotics are used to fight bacteria and rest of the treatment is carried out based on the symptoms.

Vaccines are also available and should be taken at least a weak in advance in case of sudden outbreak of plague or if the person is supposed to travel to the plague affected area.

How can we prevent plague?
Normally, the plague outbreak starts from animals and fleas play an important part in the spread of the disease. It is very important to control population and infestation of animals such as rats, rodents, squirrels etc. People should keep close watch on any un-natural behavior such as illness and deaths of animals as well as humans in the area where plague outbreak is possible. Keep the surrounding area clean. Insecticides should be used to in places which are breeding grounds for fleas.
If any animal or human being is suspected to be suffering from plague, in such case that animal or person should be separated from others till the treatment is completed. Clothes used by the person suffering from plague should be kept in close bags and should be washed in hot water.