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Plague

Alternative Names: Bubonic plague; Pneumonic plague; Septicemic plague Treatment: Patients with the plague need immediate treatment withing 24 hours of initial symptom development, or death may be unavoidable. Treatment consists of antibiotics such as streptomycin, chloramphenicol, or tetracycline. Note: Oral tetracycline is usually not prescribed for children until after all the permanent teeth have erupted. It can permanently discolor teeth that are still forming. Text Continues Below Oxygen, intravenous fluids, and respiratory support are usually also prescribed. Patients with pneumonic plague are strictly isolated from other patients. People who have had contact with anyone infected by pneumonic plague are observed closely and are given antibiotics as a preventive measure. Expectations (prognosis): Half of bubonic plague victims die if not treated, and almost all victims of pneumonic plague die if not treated. Treatment reduces the death rate to 5%. Calling your health care provider: Call your health care provider if symptoms develop after exposure to fleas or rodents, especially if you live in or have visited an area where plague occurs. 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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