Plague Articles
Browse eMedTV's wide range of articles related to plague including topics such as cure for bubonic plague, bubonic plague, and bubonic plague causes. Use the search box at the top-right corner of the page to find information about other health topics.
If left untreated, bubonic plague has a mortality rate of 50 to 90 percent. This portion of the eMedTV archives discusses the causes, transmission, symptoms, and treatment of this disease and offers statistics on its prevalence throughout history.
Plague is a general term for three diseases caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis. The information in this eMedTV segment covers the history, types, transmission, treatment, and prevention of the disease, and offers links to more information.
Yersinia pestis are bacteria often found in rats and other animals, and can cause plague. This eMedTV Web page discusses this organism in detail, including transmission methods, and offers statistics about how often human infections typically occur.
The Yersinia pestis bacteria is responsible for the bubonic plague, which, as this eMedTV page explains, is a disease transmitted by infected fleas. This article offers a detailed look at the disease, including its history, diagnosis, and treatment.
Pneumonic plague is one of the three types of plague caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. This portion of the eMedTV archives discusses this disease in detail, including the incubation period, symptoms, and treatment methods.
Bubonic plague symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory failure, severe headache, and others. This eMedTV Web page discusses these and other possible symptoms and also explains what happens if the disease is left untreated.
Bubonic plague is usually contracted through the bite of infected animals, such as fleas, rodents, and lice. This eMedTV article lists more animals that can carry the bacteria and also explains the symptoms that bubonic plague causes.
If a person becomes infected, the best cure for bubonic plague is early treatment. This eMedTV resource offers statistics on the cure rate provided by such treatment and also explains the three techniques used to prevent plague in high-risk areas.
Effects of the bubonic plague can range from diarrhea to enlarged lymph nodes to coma. This segment from the eMedTV Web site describes these and other possible signs of infection and also explains the incubation period for bubonic plague.
Bubonic is a disease that can affect humans and some animals. The information presented in this section of the eMedTV library discusses statistics and the causes, prevention, symptoms, treatment, and incubation period for this infectious disease.
Bubonic plague remedies often involve antibiotics, such as streptomycin, gentamycin, and tetracyclines. As this eMedTV page explains, however, the best remedy is to keep plague from occurring in the first place through preventative measures.
Is the Plague a Health Problem Today?
Is the plague a health problem today? Plague still exists in many countries, including the United States. This eMedTV resource offers statistics on the number of plague cases, explains what often causes it, and lists areas where plague has occurred.
Common treatments for bubonic plague include antibiotics (such as gentamycin) and supportive care. This eMedTV Web page discusses the importance of treating bubonic plague -- both for patients and those with whom they've had close contact.
Symptoms of plague are different for each type, and, as this eMedTV Web page states, can range from enlarged lymph nodes to coughing up blood to delirium. This page also lists symptoms for each plague type and offers related statistics.
This eMedTV Web page describes how septicemic plague can result from the bite of an infected animal or as a complication of untreated pneumonic or bubonic plague. This page also explains treatments, symptoms, and transmission methods.
Bubonic plague treatment usually includes antibiotics, such as gentamycin or streptomycin. This page of the eMedTV archives discusses the plague mortality rate with and without treatment, as well as treatment for close contacts of infected patients.
