download the new version for iphoneDisease Infected: Plague

Plague is an infectious disease that affects rodents, certain other animals, and humans. Is a vaccine available to prevent plague?.Who is at risk for getting plague in the United States?.Where is plague most common in the United States?.Is the disease seasonal in its occurrence?.How many cases of plague occur in the United States? Globally?.What is the incubation period for plague?.

Could one person get plague from another person?.What is the basic transmission cycle of plague?.What are the different forms of plague?.How do people become infected with plague?.or any other plague endemic area and have symptoms suggestive of plague, seek health care immediately. If you live or have recently traveled to the western U.S. Preventive antibiotic therapy may also be given, depending on the type and timing of personal contact. People in close contact with very sick pneumonic plague patients may be evaluated and possibly placed under observation. The earlier a patient seeks medical care and receives treatment that is appropriate for plague, the better their chances are of a full recovery. Plague is a very serious illness, but is treatable with commonly available antibiotics.

Once plague has been identified as a possible cause of the illness, appropriate treatment should begin immediately. Diagnosis is made by taking samples from the patient, especially blood or part of a swollen lymph gland, and submitting them for laboratory testing. In many cases, particularly in septicemic and pneumonic plague, there are no obvious signs that indicate plague.

A known flea bite or the presence of a bubo may help a doctor to consider plague as a cause of the illness. The most common sign of bubonic plague is the rapid development of a swollen and painful lymph gland called a bubo. Plague is a plausible diagnosis for people who are sick and live in, or have recently traveled to, the western United States or any other plague-endemic area. Doctors examining a bubo caused by plague.

Download the new version for iphoneDisease Infected: Plague