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Plague, an acute infectious disease, affects many mammals – mainly rodents – and can spread to humans. The fourteenth-century plague epidemic, also known then as the plague or black death, is considered probably the largest epidemic in history. How is plague done, and why is it so dangerous? What are the symptoms of the plague, and how do its varieties differ?
Plague – What is the “Black Death”?
Plague is a dangerous, bacterial infectious disease that occurs in mammals and is characterized by an acute course. Often referred to as Black Death, the plague is caused by gram-negative bacteria Yersinia pestis from the family Enterobacteriaceae – it is called because of its shape the sticks of the plague.
The bacterium that causes the plague is named after French physician Alexandre Yersin. It was he who in 1894 was the first to discover the plague stick and developed a serum against this disease.
Plague – causes and possible ways of infection
How does plague attack? In most cases Plague sticks are transmitted to humans by fleas, mainly from rodents: rats, voles, wild rabbits and squirrels. Infection is also possible through direct contact with tissues or body fluids of an infected animal, e.g. when hunters handle meat and skin unprotected during hunting.
However, plague, in its pulmonary form, can also spread via droplets. After entering the human body, Yersinia pestis first attacks the lymph nodes and then spreads along with the blood throughout the body. The period of hatching plague sticks ranges from 2 to 10 days.
Plague, or rather plague sticks, can be used as a biological weapon: the disease shows high contagiousness and mortality among the contaminated population. The Tatars used it for the first time as a biological weapon in 1346. They catapulted the corpses of those who died of the plague to the besieged Kaffa fortress.
Also read: Is the human flea dangerous?
Plague, Black Plague, Black Death – the plague in European history
Plague epidemic, which in the XNUMXth century decimated most European countries, is still considered to be the largest and most serious epidemic in history, and its exact causes and development are unknown. According to most historians, the plague came to Europe from Central Asia via the silk route, and the mentioned Tatar siege in Crimea could have significantly contributed to its spread.
The rats living on merchant ships and the fleas parasitizing on them, however, are primarily to blame for the transmission of plague germs at that time. With them the plague has probably reached all countries of the Old Continent, causing the death of 30 to 60% of the population – due to the small number of preserved documents, it is difficult to find exact numbers.
In the countries of the former Habsburg Monarchy – incl. in the Czech Republic, Austria or Hungary – it was popular for centuries to erect the so-called plague columns. They were placed in representative parts of the city as a thanksgiving vote from the believing people for saving the community from plague – that is, an epidemic of plague or other aggressive contagious disease.
The famous plague from the XNUMXth century. however, it was not the first or the last plague epidemic to deal with mankind. As early as the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, the plague appeared in the Byzantine Empire. From there, it quickly traveled to the west of Europe, reducing the continent’s population by nearly half.
After the unfortunate 1665th century, the Black Death returned several times, although its outbreaks had a smaller range – in 1679 it appeared, for example, in London, and several years later, in XNUMX, in Vienna. It is worth knowing that, according to some researchers, the XNUMXth century epidemic could have been caused by an organism other than Yersinia pestis.
The analysis of various historical sources allows us to believe that the XNUMXth-century plague in Poland was much milder than in Western European countries. In Poland, in the years when the plague was raging in Europe, there were, among others, an increase in agricultural production, which would be in conflict with the significant decline in the population caused by the epidemic.
Also check: The biggest epidemics in the history of Poland
Plague – characters
Plague is not a homogeneous disease and its individual variants have different symptoms and course. Stands out the three main forms of the plague:
- Septic Plague (Septic) – Latin pestis septica. It has a rapid and rapid course with severe symptoms – the bacterium that penetrates into the bloodstream because it efficiently reaches many organs. Usually, sepsis is fatal within 2-3 days of onset. It may be the primary form (then it is transferred from animals to humans) or it may be a complication of the course of the pulmonary or bubonic plague.
- Primary pulmonary plague – Latin pestis pneumonica. It is considered to be one of the most contagious and most serious human diseases. It is spread by droplets: bacteria in the form of sputum droplets enter the respiratory tract, where they stay on the mucous membranes and cause inflammation. If the germs have settled on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, they pass from there to the lungs, along the lymphatic and blood vessels. The prognosis for this form of plague is not the best – it often leads to respiratory failure, circulatory failure and, as a result, death of the patient. The pulmonary form of the plague can also involve the bubonic form (secondary pulmonary form).
- Bubonic plague (secondary pulmonary form) – Latin. pestis bubonica. It is the most common form of plague and is usually transmitted by fleas, with symptoms appearing 2 to 6 days after being bitten. In the first hours, the infection does not give any specific symptoms of plague – there is simply high fever, chills, sweating, headache and noticeable weakness. However, a significant enlargement (even up to 10 cm) of the lymph nodes around the bite appears quickly – they are called primary bubo. They become painful, soft, and can develop fistulas leading to self-emptying. They are most often created in the next stages secondary bubo – subsequent groups of lymph nodes are involved.
Plague symptoms
How is plague usually manifested? The characteristics of the form of this disease show many differences, so it is best to consider them separately.
Symptoms of septic plague
Sepsis plague (pestis septica) causes symptoms such as:
- chills;
- high fever;
- extreme weakness;
- abdominal pain;
- gangrene – black discoloration of the tissues caused by microbial micro-embolisms in the blood vessels of the nose, hands and feet.
Symptoms of primary pulmonary plague
Primary pulmonary plague (pestis pneumonica) causes the following symptoms:
- fever;
- Headache;
- rapidly progressing respiratory symptoms: dyspnoea, cough, chest pain, sometimes haemoptysis;
- symptoms of severe pneumonia.
The symptoms of bubonic plague
The symptoms of bubonic plague (pestis bubonica) include:
- sudden onset of fever with headache, chills, severe weakness;
- enlarged and painful lymph nodes (usually in the cervical, groin, or axillary lymph nodes), usually on one side of the body later – their cracking and the emergence of purulent discharge from them with a strong, unsightly odor;
- enlargement of the liver and spleen;
- vasodilation;
- sometimes – a lumpy rash on the skin of the feet and hands.
Plague – recognition
Plague in Poland and in Europe generally does not occur today, but it is still endemic in some parts of the world. So it can be brought in by travelers in Asia, Africa and South America. Plague cases are also still reported sporadically in the US west.
If, after staying in one of the endemic regions, we observe this disease at home characteristic symptoms of the plague – especially severe swelling of the lymph nodes – see a doctor immediately.
People suffering from the plague are subject to compulsory hospitalization in Poland. Plague is also considered a quarantine disease – under the Act of December 5, 2008 “On preventing and combating infections and infectious diseases in humans”, quarantine is 6 days from the moment of contact with the sick person.
How is the plague diagnosed? In endemic areas, it is not difficult, due to the good knowledge of the symptoms. Outside these areas, aspects such as plague diagnosis turn out to be important:
- clinical picture of the disease (finding symptoms of the disease);
- bacteriological culture of material taken from lymph nodes, sputum or blood;
- isolation of bacterial genetic material by PCR;
- serological tests.
The above tests should be carried out in special laboratories, which are characterized by a high class of biological safety. They are usually given the highest priority.
Plague – treatment
It is possible to cure the plague completely with prompt diagnosis and implementation of appropriate treatment. Plague is treated with antibiotics, usually in the form of drips. Drugs such as, for example, streptomycin, tetracycline, gentamicin or cephalosporin have proved to be effective. The treatment usually takes about 10 days.
Bubonic plague in some cases requires surgical intervention in the event of tissue necrosis or suppuration of the lymph nodes. On the other hand, extremely contagious pulmonary plague is associated with absolute isolation throughout the treatment.
If not treated properly, dangerous complications can develop: respiratory failure, necrosis of tissues and organs, and even death. Untreated plague leads to death in approx. 50% of cases – with appropriate treatment, the mortality drops to approx. 5%.
A mild complication of the plague there are chronic swelling of the lower limbs. Usually no other complications are observed and the patient can return to his normal lifestyle after treatment is completed – there are no specific recommendations for convalescents.
Also read: Leprosy as a symbol of suffering for sins. How has it evolved over the centuries?
Plague – prevention
In endemic areas where plague is still present, preventive measures are taken which include:
- reducing the population of rodents (especially rats) living in close proximity to humans;
- educational activities on the maintenance of appropriate hygiene measures and care for pets (especially dogs and cats), the use of repellants or handling sick and dead animals.
Today there is no vaccine against the plague. Therefore, when going to potentially risky areas, you should be especially careful, in particular:
- avoid contact with wild animals (live and dead);
- use insect repellants;
- take care of personal hygiene;
- if we travel with animals – secure them properly using appropriate means for fleas.
Also read: Travel vaccinations – how much does it cost?
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