What is a Bubonic Plague?

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About Bubonic Plague

Plague is an infectious disease caused by a specific type of bacterium called Yersinia pestis.
Y. pestis can affect humans and animals and is spread mainly by fleas.
Bubonic plague, also known as Black Death, is one type of plague. It gets its name from the swollen lymph nodes (buboes) caused by the disease.
The other types of plague are:
- Septicemic plague, which happens when the infection goes all through the body.
- Pneumonic plague, which happens when the lungs are infected.
Symptoms: Bubonic plague symptoms include
- Sudden high fever and chills.
- Pains in the areas of the abdomen, arms and legs.
- Headaches.
- Large and swollen lumps in the lymph nodes (buboes) that develop and leak pus.
Transmission:
- Y. pestis is spread mostly by fleas on rodents and other animals.
- It is transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas, direct contact with infected tissues, and inhalation of infected respiratory droplets.
- It’s an example of a disease that can spread between animals and people (a zoonotic disease).
Treatment:
- It can be treated and cured with antibiotics.
- Antibiotics that treat bubonic plague include Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, Gentamicin and Doxycycline.
- It can be fatal if it’s not treated.

Q1) What are Lymph nodes?

Lymph nodes, also known as lymph glands, are small, bean-shaped structures located throughout the body as part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a complex network of vessels, nodes, and organs that plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance, filtering out harmful substances, and supporting the immune system’s functions.

Source: China’s inner Mongolia records two cases of bubonic plague: What it is