Plague

Plague: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate plague: Bubonic plague (bubonic plague) Symptoms High fever Chills Cephalgia (headache) Limb pain Painful lymph node enlargement, especially inguinal (groin), axillary (armpit), and cervical (neck) lymph nodes Pneumonic plague Symptoms High fever Chills Cephalgia (headache) Fatigue Cough Bloody sputum (hemoptysis; hemoptysis) Dyspnea (shortness of breath) Tachypnea (accelerated breathing) … Plague: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Plague: Causes

Pathogenesis (disease development) Plague is caused by the gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pestis. The natural reservoir of the plague bacterium is rodents, especially rats, and their fleas. Etiology (Causes) Behavioral causes Bite of infected fleas Direct contact with infected persons Contact with contaminated soil, excrement Contact with contaminated animal carcasses Inhalation of infected material (pneumonic plague) … Plague: Causes

Plague: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Differential diagnoses of bubonic plague (bubonic plague) Skin and subcutaneous (L00-L99). Lymphadenitis (lymphadenitis). Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Cat scratch disease – infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae, transmitted from cats to humans. Lymphogranuloma venereum – sexually transmitted disease caused by chlamydia. Tularaemia (rabbit plague) Differential diagnoses of pneumonic plague Respiratory System (J00-J99) … Plague: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Plague: Complications

Consequential diseases or complications of bubonic plague (bubonic plague) Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Spontaneous opening of the bubo(s)-inward as well as outward-with pathogen seeding: pneumonic plague and involvement of other organs are possible Plague sepsis Consequential diseases or complications of pneumonic plague Cardiovascular system (I00-I99). Cardiovascular failure, shock Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99). Plague … Plague: Complications

Plague: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [Painful lymph node enlargement, especially inguinal (groin), axillary (axillary), and cervical (neck) lymph nodes] Abdomen (abdomen) … Plague: Examination

Plague: Lab Test

Laboratory parameters of the 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests. Pathogen detection – microscopy, culture, antigen detection. For Yersinia pestis, direct or indirect detection must be reported if the evidence indicates acute infection (Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in Humans. 2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, … Plague: Lab Test

Plague: Drug Therapy

Therapeutic targets Elimination of the pathogens Avoidance of complications Therapy recommendations Antibiosis (antibiotic therapy). Chemoprophylaxis: doxycycline (up to 7 days after exposure/exposure). Prevention: vaccination against plague exists but is not recommended by health authorities.

Plague: Diagnostic Tests

Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnosis. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics. Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the heart muscle). Echocardiography (echo; cardiac ultrasound) – for suspected … Plague: Diagnostic Tests

Plague: Prevention

To prevent plague, attention must be paid to reducing risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Bite of infected fleas Direct contact with infected persons Contact with contaminated soil, excrement Contact with contaminated animal carcasses Inhalation of infected material (pneumonic plague) Direct human-to-human transmission via infected aerosols (pneumonic plague). Consumption of infected material

Plague: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of plague. Family history What is the general health of your relatives? Social history What is your profession? Do you have much contact with animals, especially rodents? Where have you been abroad recently? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). Have you … Plague: Medical History