The Plague: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Plague is still alive and well and a group of researchers recently expressed concern that the international community does not give enough attention to the disease. In a paper published January 15, 2008, (see the link at the end of this article), the researchers also asserted that plague could become a larger threat than it currently is. Climate changes will, potentially, increase cases and allow the disease to spread to regions in which it has not normally been present. In addition, some are concerned that the bacterium that causes plague could become resistant to antibiotics.

At this time, only a few thousand human cases of plague are reported across the globe each year. Most of these occur in Africa. Researchers believe that plague is under-reported, however, because many cases occur in areas without modern medical resources.

Even if the reported stats are true and plague only numbers a few thousand cases per year, the disease warrants more attention than it receives--for the reasons already mentioned and the following reasons, touched on in the researchers' paper: Plague has been used as a biological weapon before (even quite far back in history, when it is said that infected corpses were sometimes catapulted into enemy territory) and could be used as a weapon again. Plague spreads very rapidly and it kills rapidly. The incubation period is around 3-7 days (the CDC states 2-6 days) and if treatment is delayed, death quickly follows.

Medical personnel, and indeed all citizens, should know the causes and symptoms so that treatment is prompt.

The Cause and Symptoms:

All forms of plague are caused by a bacterium called Yersinia Pestis (Y-pestis). The differences between bubonic, pneumonic, and septicaemic plague are the following:
Bubonic plague is Yersinia Pestis infection of the lymph nodes. This infection causes painful, large swelling in the nodes -these swollen nodes are called "buboes." Other symptoms include flu-like chills and fever. Untreated, bubonic plague will spread to other areas of the body.