Plague had been a cuause of many deaths in the world.In bhagwat purana and Bible also plague is described as an epidemic which is also called black death.
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| Plague,black death |
What is plague?
Plague is a bacrerial infection which is caused by the bacteria yersinia pestis and spread through the bite of fleas which gets the infection from sick rats.
Fleas are found on rats and rodents. It is a fatal disease and it has occured as endemic and epidemic several times in Asia and Africa.
How plague spreads
- Bacteria are found on wild rodents like rats, flash eating animals, and in other smaller animals where they make there shelter.
- Around two hundred species of the animals which lives on mountain, mining area, deserts and forest are act as carrier of plague.
- In some countries source of plague is wild rodents but the fleas that are living on rats are the main source of plague.
- Because rats possess resistance against this disease.
- Along with infected rats and fleas pnuemonic plague patients are also responsible for the spread of this disease.
- Usually people who are engaged in agriculture, hunting, construction work and animal husbandry having more chances of infection because in these occupations there are more chances of coming in contact with fleas.
- This diaease spread more during winter. In other saeson like in heavy rain holes of rats are usually destroyed and the chances of spreading becomes less.
- House which are breaking down with cracks and rats holes or having more shelters for rats, increases the probability of the disease.
How plague is transmitted
Bites by fleas which are infected by plague virus.
Coming in direct contact with the tissues of infected animals.
Droplet infection from patient suffered by pneumonic plague.
Types of plague
Three types of plague found in humans.
- Bubonic plague
- Pnuemonic plague
- Septicaemic plague
Bubonic plague ( infection of lymph nodes)
In Bubonic palgue usually the sudden fiver, shivering and headache seen.
Face and eyes turn red and person feels extremely tired.
Pain and swelling develops in all the lymph nodes specilly in the thighs, this type of plague does not spread from person to person because the infection is locked in buboes and they cannot get out.
Septicaemic plague (infection of blood)
Bubonic can be changed into septecaemic plague and the person may die due to toxicity.
Pnuemonic plague (infection of lungs)
Pnuemonic plague affects lungs and is usually a complication of bobonic plague.
Because the bacteria are found in sputum and spreads through droplets infection pnuemonic plague is very infectious.
What is incubation period of this disease
Incubation depends on the type of plague and range from 1 to 7 days.
- In bubonic - 2 to 7 days
- In Pneumonic - 2 to 7 days
- In Septicemic - 1 to 3 days
Symptoms of plague
Here are some symtoms according to types;
Bubonic plague
- In this there is inflammatory enlargement of the lymph glands, groin axilla or other parts of body.
- Headche
- High grade fever
- Muscles pain
- Cough
- Chills
Pnemonic plague
- In this the lungs are affected with pain in side, bloody scereation with high fever.
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Fever
- Blood in sputum.
Septicemic plague
- This is an espacially dangerous and generally faltal form of plague in which infecting organisms reached in the blood stream.
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Vomitting
- Pain in inguinal area
- Fever
- Toxemia (toix in blood)
What is the management of this disease
Controlling the disease through early diagnosis, notification and isolation is the primary necessity in management, therefor you need to contact to Doctor for proper diagnosis if you find some symtoms in you and have history of animal contact.
Your doctor usually provides antibiotics for the infection.
How you can prevent from being infected by pague.
- Controll of fleas by any method rodent-flea-human chain should be interrupted.
- You can use insecticides for the floor.
- Destroy rats and rodents for this the holes and cracks in the house should be filled and repair, maintain cleanliness, kill rates and improve living standards.
- Do not handle with out gloves any sick or dead animal.
- It is very important to dispose of person sputum, secreation etc properly to reduce chances of spreading infection.
- You can also get vaccinated (Haffkine's anti plague vaccine) that produces resistence for 6 months.
- Keep close watch on area affected with plague and maintain general sanitation.
- Wear gloves , mask, in case when you have to meet with infected person for any reason and after meeting wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
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