In simple words: Plague is a serious bacterial infection spread by fleas or infected animals. It causes flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, and can be very dangerous if not treated quickly.

Plague is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.It is typically acquired through the bite of infected fleas, contact with contaminated fluid or tissue, or inhaling airborne infectious droplets. There are three primary forms of plague: bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic.Bubonic plague involves the lymph nodes, septicemic plague involves the bloodstream, and pneumonic plague involves the lungs. Plague can also affect the skin and sometimes the central nervous system.

Example 1: A patient presents with sudden high fever, chills, headache, and painful swollen lymph nodes (buboes) in the groin. Laboratory tests confirm Yersinia pestis infection, indicating bubonic plague., A patient develops fever, chills, extreme weakness, and signs of shock after handling a dead rodent. Blood cultures reveal Yersinia pestis, indicating septicemic plague., A patient experiences fever, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath after close contact with a person coughing up blood.Sputum cultures are positive for Yersinia pestis, indicating pneumonic plague.

Documentation should include signs and symptoms, history of exposure to potential vectors (fleas, rodents), laboratory results confirming Y. pestis infection, and type of plague (bubonic, septicemic, pneumonic).Details of treatment and public health reporting should also be documented.

** Plague is a reportable disease to public health authorities. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing serious complications and fatalities.