What is Black Death Plague ?

Plague (Black Death) is a severe infection caused by bacterium Yersinia pestis. Infections transmitted from animals to humans via fleas. Infection is transmitted from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Transmission from pets, especially cats, can also occur through tick bites or by inhaling the bacteria contained in dust particles.

tick bite (fleabite plague)


CAUSE
Yersinia pestis bacteria. These bacteria are primarily infects rodents, like rats, mice, squirrels and prairie dogs.


SYMPTOMS
There are several forms of plague, and the symptoms depend on the shape plagnya:

1. Plague Bubonik
Symptoms usually appear within 2-5 days after infection, but can occur anytime from several hours to 12 days later. Patients with sudden chills with fever up to 41o Celsius. The heartbeat becomes rapid and weak, blood pressure may drop. Enlarged lymph nodes occur simultaneously or soon after a fever. Enlarged lymph nodes palpable soft, firm and swollen tissue around it. Overlying skin soft and red, but not warm. Patients are usually restless, delirious, confused and uncoordinated movements.

Spleen and liver enlarged and easily palpable on physical examination by a physician. Lymph nodes can be filled with pus and will dry out during the second week. Death occurs in more than 60% of untreated patients and usually occurs on the third day until the fifth day.

2. Plague Pneumonik
Is an infection of the lungs by the plague bacteria. Symptoms appear 2-3 days after infection, high fever, chills, rapid heartbeat and severe headaches. Coughs occur within 24 hours. At first sputum was clear, but it will quickly formed the stains of blood and sputum eventually pink or red light (such as raspberry syrup) and foamy. Usually breathing becomes rapid and shallow. If not treated, the patient will die within 48 hours after initial symptoms appear.

3. Plague Septikemik
Plague is an infection which spreads bubonik into the blood. Can cause death, even before other symptoms of the plague or plague pneumonik bubonik appear.

4. Minor pestis
Is a mild form of plague, which usually occurs only in areas where this disease is endemic. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache and fatigue, usually subside within a week.


Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the results of culturing the bacteria from samples of blood, sputum, or lymph nodes.


TREATMENT
Many antibiotics are effective for this disease. Treatment should be done immediately. In septikemik plague or plague pneumonik, treatment must begin within 24 hours. Appropriate treatment to reduce mortality to less than 5%. Pneumonik plague sufferers should be isolated.


PREVENTION
To prevent this disease, conducted surveillance of rodent and flea repellent drug use. Vaccinations do not need to be given to people who travel to areas where the disease is reported to have occurred. People who travel frequently and are at risk of exposure to these bacteria, can be given tetracycline as a precaution.