Treatment FAQ

treatment of plague how it works

by Ruthe Koss Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Antibiotics such as streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, or ciprofloxacin are used to treat plague. Oxygen, intravenous fluids, and respiratory support are usually also needed. People with pneumonic plague must be kept away from other patients and isolation procedures will be followed in the hospital.Jun 20, 2021

Medication

Yarrow

  • Dry yarrow flowers.
  • Boil the flowers to make tea.
  • Strain the mixture.
  • Add mint to the strained mixture and drink.

How to cure plague naturally?

Treatment. Plague is a very serious illness, but is treatable with commonly available antibiotics. The earlier a patient seeks medical care and receives treatment that is appropriate for plague, the better their chances are of a full recovery.

How do you cure the plague?

HOW TO TREAT THE BLACK DEATH

  • Letting your blood bleed out until no disease bacteria was left
  • Drink your own urine
  • Wash your body with vinegar
  • Swallow crushed emeralds
  • Do no exercise
  • Have no baths
  • Throw sweet smelling herbs on to a fire to clean the air
  • Even witchcraft was bought upon infected bodies

How did people try and cure the plague?

Your donation will help them cover:

  • Materials and construction of the experiment.
  • Assembly facilities.
  • Flight readiness tests.
  • Biological samples and supplies.
  • Logistics and transport of the experiment to the launch site.

What is the cure for the plague?

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Which medicine is used for the treatment of plague?

Gentamicin. Doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin, others) Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Levofloxacin.

Is the plague easy to treat?

Unlike Europe's disastrous bubonic plague epidemic, the plague is now curable in most cases. It can successfully be treated with antibiotics, and according to the CDC , treatment has lowered mortality rates to approximately 11 percent. The antibiotics work best if given within 24 hours of the first symptoms.

What is the prevention and treatment of plague?

Remove brush, rock piles, junk, cluttered firewood, and possible rodent food supplies, such as pet and wild animal food. Make your home and outbuildings rodent-proof. Wear gloves if you are handling or skinning potentially infected animals to prevent contact between your skin and the plague bacteria.

Is the plague a virus or bacteria?

Plague is an infectious disease that affects animals and humans. It is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. This bacterium is found in rodents and their fleas and occurs in many areas of the world, including the United States.

Is there a vaccine for the plague?

Plague vaccines ** have been used since the late 19th century, but their effectiveness has never been measured precisely. Field experience indicates that vaccination with plague vaccine reduces the incidence and severity of disease resulting from the bite of infected fleas.

Who discovered the cure for the Black Death?

Antiserum. The first application of antiserum to the treatment of patients is credited to Yersin [5], who used serum developed with the assistance of his Parisian colleagues Calmette, Roux, and Borrel.

How would you survive the Black Death?

Avoid areas with the plague if you can, and stay away from sick or dead animals while you're there. If you live in an area where there's been a case of the plague: Fill holes and gaps in your home to stop mice, rats, and squirrels from getting in. Clean up your yard.

How long does a plague last?

The plague resurfaced roughly every 10 years from 1348 to 1665—40 outbreaks in just over 300 years. And with each new plague epidemic, 20 percent of the men, women and children living in the British capital were killed. By the early 1500s, England imposed the first laws to separate and isolate the sick.

What to do if you suspect you have the plague?

If you suspect you have plague, you're likely to start by going to an emergency room. You may eventually need to see a doctor specializing in infectious disease.

What antibiotics are given for the plague?

You'll receive powerful antibiotics, such as: Gentamicin. Doxycycline (Monodox , Vibramycin , others) Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Levofloxacin. Moxifloxacin (Avelox) Chloramphenicol.

How to check for pneumonic plague?

To check for pneumonic plague, your doctor will take mucus (sputum) or fluid from your airways using a thin, flexible tube inserted through your nose or mouth and down your throat (endoscopy).

What bacteria is in a blood sample taken from a bubonic plague?

Diagnosis. If your doctor suspects plague, he or she may look for the Yersinia pestis bacteria in samples taken from your: Buboes. If you have the swollen lymph nodes (buboes) typical of bubonic plague, your doctor may use a needle to take a fluid sample from them (aspiration). Blood.

What is the plague?

the bite of infected vector fleas. unprotected contact with infectious bodily fluids or contaminated materials. the inhalation of respiratory droplets/small particles from a patient with pneumonic plague. Plague is a very severe disease in people, particularly in its septicaemic (systemic infection caused by circulating bacteria in bloodstream) ...

What is the cause of the plague?

Plague is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, a zoonotic bacteria usually found in small mammals and their fleas. People infected with Y. pestis often develop symptoms after an incubation period of one to seven days. There are two main clinical forms of plague infection: bubonic and pneumonic. Bubonic plague is the most common form ...

Where is plague found?

As an animal disease, plague is found in all continents, except Oceania. There is a risk of human plague wherever the presence of plague natural foci (the bacteria, an animal reservoir and a vector) and human population co-exist.

How is the Bubonic Plague transmitted?

Plague is transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas, direct contact with infected tissues, and inhalation of infected respiratory droplets.

How severe is the plague?

Plague can be a very severe disease in people, with a case-fatality ratio of 30% to 60% for the bubonic type, and is always fatal for the pneumonic kind when left untreated. Antibiotic treatment is effective against plague bacteria, so early diagnosis and early treatment can save lives. From 2010 to 2015 there were 3248 cases reported worldwide, ...

What are the preventive measures for zoonotic plague?

Preventive measures include informing people when zoonotic plague is present in their environment and advising them to take precautions against flea bites and not to handle animal carcasses. Generally people should be advised to avoid direct contact with infected body fluids and tissues.

What should be covered with for a pneumonic plague burial?

The area should be covered with a disinfectant-soaked cloth or absorbent material.

What is the treatment for the plague?

Several clinical studies on treatment of plague in humans also have contributed to advancements in the field. A randomized controlled trial published in 2006 compared gentamicin with doxycycline for treatment of plague in Tanzania among 65 enrolled adults and children ( 17 ). Recent case series also have reported on the use of ciprofloxacin for treatment of bubonic and pneumonic plague in Uganda ( 18) and compared streptomycin with gentamicin for treatment of human plague in New Mexico ( 52 ).

What is the best treatment for bubonic plague?

Antimicrobials with demonstrated robust in vitro and in vivo activity against Y. pestis are preferred for treatment of bubonic and pharyngeal plague (Table 2). However, a notable difference in the recommendations for bubonic and pharyngeal disease is that doxycycline is considered a first-line treatment. Although certain studies have demonstrated reduced doxycycline efficacy for pneumonic plague ( 49, 67 ), doxycycline remains a safe and effective treatment for primary bubonic plague among patients who have not progressed to severe secondary septicemic or pneumonic plague. In a randomized clinical trial in Tanzania comparing gentamicin with doxycycline, 29 (97%) of 30 patients with bubonic plague survived after oral doxycycline treatment. The one death in the doxycycline group was attributed to advanced disease in a woman with a recent spontaneous abortion, a retained dead fetus, hemorrhage, and renal failure at the time treatment was initiated ( 17 ). Moreover, an analysis of U.S. surveillance data demonstrated that, among a subset of 45 patients with bubonic plague treated with tetracyclines and no other antimicrobial classes effective for plague, 44 (98%) survived ( 16) (Supplementary Appendix 1, https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/107427 ). On the basis of this demonstrated clinical efficacy and in vitro activity against Y. pestis ( 55, 76, 83 ), doxycycline is recommended as a first-line antimicrobial for treatment of patients with primary bubonic or pharyngeal plague.

How is pneumonic plague transmitted?

Pneumonic plague is the only clinical form that is transmissible from person to person ( 2, 9 ). Y. pestis is transmitted via large respiratory droplets that do not remain suspended in the air for prolonged periods. For this reason, health care providers should use respiratory droplet precautions when caring for patients with pneumonic plague ( 8 ). No evidence exists for airborne transmission of Y. pestis, as occurs with the measles virus or other pathogens that require airborne precautions to prevent exposure to others from an infected patient ( 2 ). Person-to-person transmission of Y. pestis requires exposure within 6 feet ( 2) and has been reported most commonly among an infected patient’s caregivers or others living together ( 10, 22 ).

How does Yersinia pestis spread?

Y. pestis can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected vector, namely the Oriental rat flea ( Xenopsylla cheopis) and other flea species. Humans also can be infected via direct contact with infected tissues or fluids or inhalation of infectious droplets. In infected persons, the primary clinical form of plague depends on the route of transmission ( 1, 2 ). Primary clinical presentations of plague include bubonic, pneumonic, septicemic (fever and sepsis without localizing signs), meningeal, and pharyngeal (pharyngitis with or without cervical lymphadenopathy) ( 2 ).

What is the survival rate of a patient who received chloramphenicol?

Survival rates of patients who received chloramphenicol and sulfonamides, alone or in combination with other antimicrobials, were 78% (n = 25 of 32) and 65% (n = 28 of 43), respectively. When limited to patients who received monotherapy only, survival rates were 81% (n = 26 of 32) for aminoglycosides, 80% (n = 4 of 5) for fluoroquinolones, 83% (n = 5 of 6) for tetracyclines, 67% (n = 8 of 12) for chloramphenicol, and 50% (n = 13 of 26) for sulfonamides ( 19 ).

How long does it take for Y pestis to show up in the air?

A covert release of Y. pestis into the air would cause illness in infected persons within 1–3 days ( 6, 34 ). Initial manifestations would be nonspecific (i.e., fatigue, fever, cough, and dyspnea) and mimic many respiratory illnesses. Chest radiographs of affected patients would reveal nonspecific disease processes such as nodular or patchy infiltrates, lobar pneumonia, pleural effusion, or hilar lymphadenopathy ( 9 ). Recognition of a bioterrorist attack would occur after an abnormal pattern of disease is detected and results of agent-specific diagnostic tests (e.g., polymerase chain reaction) become available.

How does the Bubonic Plague affect humans?

The most common clinical presentation of plague in humans is bubonic plague ( 2, 3 ). Following the bite of an infected flea or direct contamination of a skin lesion, bacteria enter the host and are phagocytosed by macrophage and neutrophil cells ( 4 ). Surviving in macrophage cells, Y. pestis is then transported via lymphatics to regional lymph nodes ( 4, 5 ). Numerous antiphagocytic factors protect Y. pestis from human immune responses and allow reproduction and spread of the bacteria ( 6 ). Within the lymph node, the bacteria multiply, producing a tender swelling or “bubo” ( 5 ). Persons with bubonic plague might experience additional symptoms of fever, chills, malaise, and headache 2–8 days after initial infection ( 7 ). If not treated promptly, rapid multiplication of bacteria in the lymph nodes causes destruction of the lymph node architecture and necrosis. Hematogenous spread of bacteria might lead to secondary septicemic, pneumonic, or meningeal plague. Left untreated, the fatality rate of bubonic plague is 66%; however, with antimicrobial treatment, the fatality rate decreases substantially to 13% ( 3 ).

How does the plague develop?

This form of plague can develop directly from a flea bite, through bacterial contamination of broken skin, or as a later stage of both bubonic and pneumonic plague. Symptoms include fever, chills, extreme weakness, abdominal pain, and bleeding under the skin or in the organs.

What are the three types of plague?

Plague and its Symptoms. Plague is a deadly, infectious disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. There are three main types of plague - bubonic, pneumonic and septicemic - each with its own unique characteristics. Let's take a quick look at all three, beginning with the most infamous: bubonic plague.

What are the three main forms of the plague?

There are three main forms of plague. Bubonic plague is the classic form of plague transmitted through the bite of an infected flea. Bubonic plague victims can expect swollen and painful lymph nodes and the sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, and muscle weakness.

What causes black death?

Eventually, shock and death result from the body-wide infection. It is septicemic plague that started the name 'Black Death.'. As bleeding under the skin increases, large purple-to-black patches of blood and dying tissue develop. By the time these patches develop, about 50% of patients undergoing treatment will die.

How is the pneumonic plague transmitted?

Pneumonic plague is a highly contagious form of plague usually transmitted person-to-person through inhaled aerosolized respiratory droplets. Yersinia cells inhaled will encapsulate and cause inflammation in the lungs, resulting in the rapid onset of pneumonia.

Can you cure gentamicin?

Currently, the antibiotics streptomycin or gentamicin are the treatments of choice. The earlier the antibiotics are given, the better the chance the patient has of making a full recovery. Treatment does not guarantee a cure, however. Even with treatment, many patients will still die of the disease.

Is the plague a legitimate health threat?

No one considers plague a legitimate health threat in the United States anymore, leading to misdiagnosis. Since the disease kills so rapidly, any delay in treatment can be deadly. Diagnosis is based on the rapid onset of symptoms and a recent exposure to rodents that could harbor the fleas that carry the bacteria.

What to do if you suspect the plague?

If you suspect you have been exposed to plague, seek medical attention immediately. Authorities must be notified immediately so the local or state health departments can begin to investigate and control the problem. If bioterrorism is suspected, the Center for Disease Control and FBI will be notified.

What is the plague?

What is plague? Plague is a historic disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, found mostly in rats and in fleas that feed on the rats. Rat or flea bites can give people and animals plague. Handling an infected animal can also pass the plague on to a human. It is a feared agent of bioterrorism.

What happens if the bubonic plague is not treated?

If bubonic plague is not treated, the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream and infect the lungs. This will cause a secondary case of pneumonic plague.

What are the complications associated with the Bubonic Plague?

What are the complications associated with plague? If bubonic plague is not treated, the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream and infect the lungs. This will cause a secondary case of pneumonic plague. If pneumonic plague is not treated early, it can lead to respiratory failure, shock, and rapid death.

How long does it take to get a plague test?

A doctor can diagnose plague through lab tests. Samples of blood, sputum, or lymph node aspirate are tested. Preliminary results may be available within 2 hours and further confirmation available in 24 to 48 hours.

How many cases of plague are there in the world?

Plague still exists, although it is uncommon; there are an estimated 1,000-3,000 new cases per year worldwide. The infection carried by fleas and rodents has no vaccine but can be treated by antibiotics.

Which area has the highest risk of getting the plague?

People in rural and semi-rural areas are at the highest risk for getting plague. This is due to the wild rodent populations in these areas which may be carrying the plague bacteria.

What is the black plague?

The plague is a serious bacterial infection that can be deadly. Sometimes referred to as the “black plague,” the disease is caused by a bacterial strain called Yersinia pestis. This bacterium is found in animals throughout the world and is usually transmitted to humans through fleas. The risk of plague is highest in areas that have poor sanitation, ...

Where does the plague occur?

Today, most human cases of the plague occur in Africa though they do appear elsewhere. The countries in which the plague is most common are Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Peru. in the rural southwest and, in particular, in Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.

How long does it take for the bubonic plague to appear?

Symptoms of bubonic plague generally appear within two to six days of infection. They include: You may also experience painful, swollen lymph glands, called buboes. These typically appear in the groin, armpits, neck, or site of the insect bite or scratch. The buboes are what give bubonic plague its name.

What is the name of the disease that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream?

Septicemic plague. When the bacteria enter the bloodstream directly and multiply there, it’s known as septicemic plague. When they’re left untreated, both bubonic and pneumonic plague can lead to septicemic plague.

How long does it take for the Septicemic Plague to show symptoms?

Septicemic plague symptoms usually start within two to seven days after exposure, but septicemic plague can lead to death before symptoms even appear. Symptoms can include:

What is the most common form of plague?

The most common form of plague is bubonic plague. It’s usually contracted when an infected rodent or flea bites you. In very rare cases, you can get the bacteria from material that has come into contact with an infected person.

Which plague can be transmitted from person to person?

Pneumonic plague is the only form of the plague that can be transmitted from person to person.

What is a phage used for?

This means that a phage can be used to directly target disease-causing bacteria. For example, a strep bacteriophage will only kill bacteria that cause strep throat infections. Phages work against both treatable and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They may be used alone or with antibiotics and other drugs.

Why are phages used in experimental studies?

One reason for this is because antibiotics are more easily available and are considered to be safer to use. There is ongoing research on the best way to use bacteriophages in people and animals. The safety of phage therapy also needs more research.

How long does phage therapy take to work?

It’s not known how long phage therapy may take to work.

What is the name of the virus that attacks bacteria?

Bacterial viruses are called phages or bacteriophages. They only attack bacteria; phages are harmless to people, animals, and plants. Bacteriophages are the natural enemies of bacteria. The word bacteriophage means “bacteria eater.”. They’re found in soil, sewage, water, and other places bacteria live.

Why is phage therapy used in food?

Phage therapy in food prevents bacteria that can cause food poisoning, such as: Salmonella.

Why are phages added to processed foods?

The phages are added to some processed foods to help prevent bacterial growth.

How many viruses can a phage make?

The phage virus copies itself (reproduces) inside the bacteria. This can make up to 1000 new viruses in each bacterium. Finally, the virus breaks open the bacteria, releasing the new bacteriophages.

How is bubonic plague treated?

Unlike the 14th century, however, patients these days can be treated effectively with modern antibiotics, which can prevent complications and death.

What is the bubonic plague?

What is bubonic plague? How it’s treated and recent cases. The bubonic plague, which is caused by a bacterial infection, was chillingly known as “Black Death” when it wiped out some 50 million people across Africa, Asia and Europe in the Middle Ages. Its dark moniker refers to the gangrenous blackening and death of body parts, ...

What is the Septicemic Plague?

Septicemic plague is one of the three main forms of plague — the other forms being bubonic and pneumonic. This report came just after officials announced July 14 that a squirrel in Jefferson County, Colorado tested positive for the bubonic plague. The person had had contact with sick squirrels.

What is the most common type of plague?

The bubonic plague is the most common type of the disease, which is caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis that live in some animals — mostly rodents — and their fleas. A suspect in the slaying of Bronx high school hoops...

What are the three main forms of the plague?

Septicemic plague is one of the three main forms of plague — the other forms being bubonic and pneumonic.

How did a boy die in Mongolia?

Almost a month earlier, a teenage boy also died in Mongolia. Health officials announced on July 14 that the boy died of bubonic plague just days after eating a marmot, a rodent known to carry the infection, CTV News reported.

How long does it take for a person to get sick from a virus?

A person usually becomes sick between two and six days after being infected and may experience a variety of symptoms in addition to enlarged lymph nodes including fever, chills, headaches, muscle pain and fatigue. The disease also can affect the lungs, causing a cough and chest pain, as well as difficulty breathing.

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Signs and Symptoms

Where Is Plague Found?

Diagnosing Plague

Treatment

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment options include antibiotics and supportive care.
Medication

Antibiotics: Strong antibiotics are prescribed to fight the infection.

Gentamicin . Doxycycline . Ciprofloxacin . Levofloxacin

Specialist to consult

Infectiologist
Specializes in the diagnosis, control and treatment of infections.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Prevention

Vaccination

  • Medications
    As soon as your doctor suspects that you have plague, you'll need to be admitted to a hospital. You'll receive powerful antibiotics, such as: 1. Gentamicin 2. Doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin, others) 3. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) 4. Levofloxacin 5. Moxifloxacin (Avelox) 6. Chloramphenicol
See more on mayoclinic.org

Managing Plague Outbreaks

Surveillance and Control

Who Response

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9