|
Headlines:
|
 |
Back to Infectious Diseases
Plague
Plague is caused by infection with the organism Yersinia Pestis. It
is transmitted to man by domestic rats via the rat flea.
Clinical Manifestations
Incubation Period: 1 week.
Four clinical forms are recognized:
- Bubonic plague: Which usually presents with general symptoms
of fever, malaise, vomitting. This is followed by lymph gland enlargement
(bubos). The endotoxin of the bacteria leads to bleeding manifestations
which may ultimately lead to shock.
- Pneumonic plague: A fumlinant form of pneumonia with bloody
sputum.
- Stepticemic plague: Presents with shock and dissiminated intravascular
coagulation.
- Cutaneous plague: Presents with a pulsatile eschar which
later becomes necrotic and gangrenous.
|
|
|
|
Are you a doctor or a nurse?
Do you want to join the Doctors Lounge online medical community?
Participate in editorial activities (publish, peer review, edit) and
give a helping hand to the largest online community of patients.
Click on the link below to see the requirements:
Doctors Lounge Membership
Application |
|
Diagnosis
Examination of lymph node aspirates, sputum or blood films for Yersinia
Pestis.
Treatment
Streptomycin is the antibiotic of choice. Supportive
therapy for hypertension, shock, DIC.
|
send
to a friend
printer
friendly version
