What is the plague?
The term “plague” typically refers to infectious diseases caused by bacteria of the genus Yersinia, primarily Yersinia pestis. The most infamous plague is the Black Death, which ravaged Europe in the 14th century, killing millions of people.
There are three primary forms of plague:
- Bubonic plague: This is the most common form, characterized by swollen and painful lymph nodes (called buboes), typically found in the groin, armpit, or neck.
- Septicemic plague: This occurs when the infection spreads to the bloodstream, causing severe sepsis and often leading to death if left untreated.
- Pneumonic plague: This is the most virulent form, affecting the lungs and causing severe pneumonia. It is also the only form that can spread from person to person through respiratory droplets.
Plague is typically transmitted through the bites of infected fleas, which primarily infest rodents such as rats. However, it can also be transmitted directly between humans through respiratory droplets in the case of pneumonic plague. Despite its historical significance, modern healthcare practices and antibiotics have made plague much less common and more easily treatable. Nevertheless, outbreaks still occur in some parts of the world.