Bacteria often cause diseases or pathogens for human, one of them is Yesenia pestis, which causes plague. These bacteria are known to live among the rodents like mice and transferred to the human body through the bite of infected animals, via direct contact, or from flea bites that lived in infected animals (such as mice, rabbits, dogs and squirrels). Based on the affected body parts, a plague is divided into three main types. Signs and symptoms depend on which part of the body is infected.

Bubonic Plague

This type of plague attacks the lymph gland and causes swelling, which can generally occur within a week after being infected. Signs and symptoms are:

• Swelling in the groin, armpit, or neck
• The size of swelling is like the size of a chicken egg.
• The swelling is soft to touch and warm.
• Fever and trembling.
• Headache.
• Fatigue.
• Muscle pain.

Septicemic Plague

Septicemic or septicemia will occur when plague bacteria develop in the bloodstream. The signs and symptoms of this type of plague are:

• Fever and trembling.
• Fatigue.
• Stomachache, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
• Bleeding in the nose and mouth.
• Shock.
• Black rashes on the skin due to the death of skin tissue and most often occurs on the fingers, toes and nose.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is one of the most dangerous types of plague. Pneumonia occurs when the bacteria is infecting the lungs. Its spread will occur through saliva that coming out through coughing. The signs and symptoms may begin within a few hours after infection. The signs and symptoms including:

• Coughing up blood.
• Difficulty of breathing.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• High fever.
• Headache.
• Fatigue.

Pneumonia is very dangerous since it may develop very quickly and even causes respiratory failure and shock within two days after the infection.

To avoid the risk of being infected with the plague, it is necessary to take preventive measures by avoiding things that may increase the risk of infection, such as avoiding residential locations that have high population density, since plague is most commonly found in rural areas characterised by excessive population density, poor sanitation, and high rodent populations. Plague can also cause complications, including blood clots. If left untreated, it may lead to amputation. Other complications that may occur including meningitis and swelling of the brain membrane or spinal cord.

Up until now, scientists have not discovered the most effective vaccine to prevent plague infection. However, there are several precautions that can be taken, such as:

• Make sure that one's house is clean.
• Use gloves every time you do direct contact with an animal who might potentially get infected with a plague.
• Always use mosquito essence when visiting an area with high rodent population.

Text by Rezky Zakiri
Stock photos from Shutterstock

Source(s):

• Mayo Clinic. Plague. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plague/symptoms-causes/syc-20351291, September 20, 2018.
• World Health Organization. Plague http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs267/en/, September 20, 2018.