Signs and Symptoms of Bubonic Plague

Signs and Symptoms of Bubonic Plague

Bubonic Plague is a bacterial zoonotic disease which usually affects humans resulting into the outcome of the symptoms like flu. This disease is also known as ‘Black Death’ because it’s severity which caused death of about 50 millions in the fourteenth century. This disease is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis (formerly known as Pasteurella pestis), which belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. This bacterium is usually found in the body of the small animals as well as rodents also that’s why these animals act as a good vector of this disease. This disease is directly transmitted by the fleas which usually live on the black rat. 

The blood containing the bacteria usually transmits from the flea to the human when the flea bites human. The common procedure which is usually followed by the doctors to diagnose this disease is blood test of the suspected person. Thrombocytopenia, hyperglycaemia may be observed in the body of the affected person. Several types of anti-biotic can be used for the treatment of this disease which includes aminoglycosides such as streptomycin and gentamicin, tetracyclines (especially doxycycline), and the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin.

After 2-7 days of the incubation period the symptoms of this disease can be found in the body of the affected person which are quite similar to the symptoms of the flu. Some symptoms may differ from person to person. 

Some of the important symptoms of this disease are described in brief in the following:

 

• ·         Appearance of the buboes is the most common symptom of this disease which can be seen either in the armpit or in the groin area of the affected person though the size of the buboes may vary from an egg size to an apple size. This symptom can be found in the first day of the infection.
• ·         Vomiting may also be found due to this disease as gastrointestinal system is also affected by the bacteria.
• ·         Fever is also an important symptom of this disease. The body temperature of the affected person varied from 99°F to 104°F. This abnormal temperature rising can also be controlled by the proper application of paracetamol tablets.
• ·         Bleeding is occurred under the skin as a result of it the skin colour becomes black from which it can be easily assumed that the person is affected from this disease.
• ·         Spasm is also an important symptom of this disease which is caused when the nervous system of the patient gets affected by this disease. The patient feels severe pains.
• ·         Buboes sometimes burst resulting into the ooze of black coloured liquid substance. This usually happens in the living condition of the patient but it is reported that the painful death of the patients usually occurs after some days of the appearance of this symptoms.
• ·         Gangrene of the extremities such as toes, fingers, lips and tip of the nose is also reported as common symptoms of this disease found in the most persons who are affected by this disease.
• ·         Felling muscle crumps may also be called as a minor symptom of this disease.