What Is Pneumonic Plague?

Pneumonic plague is one of the various diseases that is generically known as “plague”. This is a serious disorder that has led to several epidemics throughout history, which ended in many deaths. Fortunately, it is possible to treat it today.

Pneumonic plague is a particularly serious type of plague. If the person does not receive treatment, the mortality rate can be 100% in some cases. It is also highly contagious and has a strong potential to trigger epidemics.

The plague

The plague is an infectious disease that affects animals and, although rare, can also affect humans. It is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which we can find in rodents and their fleas.

There are several outbreaks of the disease around the world. The disease  is usually transmitted through humans and animals due to bites from infected fleas. Humans and animals can also transmit it through direct or indirect contact with each other.

Here are the basic types of plague:

• Hives:  This is the most common type. The infection occurs when bacteria enter the body through flea bites, or through cuts or wounds on the skin. It affects the lymphatic system.
• Septicemic plague:  When bubonic plague remains untreated and bacteria accumulate in the bloodstream, it causes septic shock. This can lead to septicemic plague.

• Pneumonic plague:  This occurs when bacteria settle in the lungs. It is the most malignant form of the plague. If not treated quickly enough, it can lead to death.

Pneumonic plague

Pneumonic plague is the least common form of plague, but it is also the most dangerous. To reduce mortality, the person must be treated within 24 hours.

There are three ways to spread pneumonic plague. The first and most common form of infection from person to person is through the air. This happens when someone inhales the bacteria from the infected person.

In addition, a person can inhale the bacterium, which is in small droplets that form in the respiratory system of an infected person. The infection  only occurs if there is a close and continuous contact between the infected person or the animal.

Pneumonic plague also appears when someone suffers from bubonic plague or septicemic plague but does not receive timely treatment. In this case, the bacterium can migrate and settle in the lungs.

Symptoms of pneumonic plague

The incubation period for the disease can last between 1 and 7 days. After that, the infected person will experience the first symptoms, which are the same symptoms as in acute febrile illness.

Nonspecific symptoms will appear. Examples of this are headaches, sudden fever, chills, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and general pain. It is important that the person receives treatment within the first 24 hours after the symptoms have appeared.

To confirm that it is pneumonic plague,  some tests must be taken. The best way to do this is to take a sample of saliva to check if the Yersinia pestis bacterium is in it. This can also be verified through seroconversion.

Other interesting data

Septicemic plague and pneumonic plague have very high mortality rates. In fact, timely and proper treatment will only reduce mortality to 50%. That is why surveillance and disease prevention are so important.

The best way to avoid the disease  is to control the rat population. Try not to come in contact with these animals or their dead bodies. If a person is infected, they must be kept isolated to prevent the disease from spreading.

The World Health Organization does not recommend a vaccine against the plague. In fact, there is no evidence that such a vaccine is actually effective.

You should report any suspicion of a possible outbreak of the disease as soon as possible.