Plague is a disease caused by an infection. Humans usually get the infection from rodent or flea bites. There are three forms of plague: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic.
Bubonic plague is characterized by symptoms and signs such as
- fever,
- chills,
- weakness,
- headache, and
- swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes.
The swollen lymph nodes are referred to as buboes. In septicemic plague, the flu-like symptoms are present, but buboes do not occur.
can develop with septicemic plague. Pneumonic plague is the most serious type that affects the lungs. It is caused by inhaling the plague bacteria. Associated symptoms and signs of pneumonic plague include
- shortness of breath,
- chest pain,
- cough,
- sometimes bloody or watery sputum,
- fever,
- headache, and
- weakness.
Cause of plague
Infection with the bacteria Yersinia pestis causes plague. The bacteria are found mainly in rodents, particularly rats, and in the fleas that feed on them.
Other plague symptoms and signs
- Abdominal Pain
- Chest Pain
- Chills
- Cough
- Fever
- Headache
- Internal Bleeding
- Shock
- Shortness of Breath
- Sometimes Bloody or Watery Sputum
- Swelling and Tenderness of the Lymph Nodes
- Weakness
Main Article on Plague Symptoms and Signs
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