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Plague

Alternative Names: Bubonic plague; Pneumonic plague; Septicemic plague Symptoms: Bubonic Plague: Symptoms appear suddenly, usually after 2-5 days of exposure to the bacteria. Sudden onset of high fever The classic sign is a smooth, painful swelling of a lymph gland(s), called a buboe. The most common area is the groin, but swollen glands may also ocur in the armpits or neck. Pain may occur in the area before the swelling. Chills General discomfort or ill feeling (malaise ) Muscular pain Severe headache Seizures Text Continues Below Pneumonic Plague: Symptoms begin abruptly, typically 2-3 days after exposure. Severe cough Frothy, bloody sputum Difficulty breathing Septicemic Plague: This blood infection may cause death even before the signs of bubonic or pneumonic plague occur. Fever Extreme illness Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain Low blood pressure Blood clotting problems Failure of several or all organ systems Signs and tests: These tests may indicate a plague infection: Culture of bubo Culture of sputum Blood culture Lymph node culture References: Kool JL. Risk of person-to-person transmission of pneumonic plague. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Apr 15;40(8):1166-72. Cobbs CG, Chansolme DH. Plague. Dermatol Clin. 2004 Jul;22(3):303-12, vi. Josko D. Yersinia pestis: still a plague in the 21st century. Clin Lab Sci. 2004 Winter;17(1):25-9.

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