Plague Disease

• Plague

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.

• What Caused the Plague?

What caused the plague? As this eMedTV resource explains, the plague was contracted through the bites of infected fleas and rodents (a common transmission method today). This page also lists possible symptoms of plague, such as swollen lymph nodes.

• Yersinia Pestis Bacteria

Yersinia pestis bacteria can cause plague, which is an acute, infectious disease. This page of the eMedTV Web site offers related statistics and discusses symptoms of infection, transmission methods, treatment options, and preventive measures.

• Plague and Animals

As this eMedTV page explains, fleas, rats, and squirrels are all potential carriers of the bacteria that cause plague, and animals should be handled properly in order to avoid transmission in high-risk areas. Homes should also be made rodent-proof.

• Types of Plague

Bubonic plague, septicemic plague, and pneumonic plague are the three types of plague. This portion of the eMedTV archives explains the symptoms and transmission methods of each of these types in detail.

• The Bubonic Plague

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

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.

• Septicemic Plague

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.

• Plague Transmission

This eMedTV Web page discusses the three forms of plague transmission and the bacteria that cause the disease. Transmission most often occurs through the bites of infected fleas; person to person transmission is extremely rare.

• Plague Incubation Period

The plague incubation period is the time between being infected and the beginning of symptoms. This page of the eMedTV archives discusses the average length of time for both bubonic plague and pneumonic plague.

• Symptoms of the Plague

This eMedTV Web page explains that although symptoms of the plague vary depending on the type, fever, nausea, and headache are common indicators. The page highlights symptoms for each type of plague and offers related statistics.

• Plague Diagnosis

This eMedTV Web page describes the process doctors use and conditions that need to be ruled out when making a plague diagnosis. In most cases, a physical exam is performed, a medical history is gathered, and a blood or sputum sample is collected.

• Plague Treatment

This segment of the eMedTV archives explains the importance of prompt plague treatment (often in the form of antibiotics). The quicker the disease is diagnosed and treatment begun, the better a person's chances of survival.

• Plague Prevention

This eMedTV Web page explains techniques for plague prevention that reduce the threat of infection in humans. For example, because there is no vaccine, antibiotics are often given to those who are in close contact with infected animals or people.

• History of Plague

For years, the history of plague has had a massive effect on civilization. The information presented in this eMedTV Web page discusses references to plague in art and literature, and the findings of plague research that took place during the 1890s.

• Plague Research

Plague research is aimed at identifying genes in the bacteria that cause plague. This eMedTV resource outlines other areas of research, such as developing more promising treatment options and developing a vaccine against inhaled forms of the plague.

• Where Is Plague?

Where is plague? Plague typically occurs in Asia, Africa, and South America. This eMedTV Web page offers statistics on the number of cases, explains what generally causes it, and describes common areas where plague has occurred.