Question 1

how is plague treated?

Accepted Answer

Antibiotics,hospital: Patients with suspected plague are put in strict isolation units and treatment is started with antibiotics such as gentamicin, streptomycin, doxycycline, tetracyline, Septra, (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) ciprofloxacin, or chloramphenicol. With treatment, the death rate drops from about 50% to about 15% (the majority of the cases are bubonic plague). Pneumonic plague is fatal if treatment is not started in 24 hours.

Question 2

how do people get plague?

Accepted Answer

Bites or sick people: The plague is usually bubonic (one catches it from being bit by infected fleas or rodents, and the bacteria infects one's lymph nodes) or pneumonic (one catches it by breathing infected moisture droplets exhaled, sneezed, or coughed out by an infected person or animal, and the bacteria infects one's lungs). Without treatment, pneumonic plague is fatal.

Question 3

how is plague transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Bites; air droplets: The plague is usually bubonic (one catches it from being bit by infected fleas or rodents, and the bacteria infects one's lymph nodes) or pneumonic (one catches it by breathing infected moisture droplets exhaled, sneezed, or coughed out by an infected person or animal, and the bacteria infects one's lungs). The chances of survival without treatment is about 50% for bubonic, and zero for pneumonic.

Question 4

where is plague most common?

Accepted Answer

Outside the U.S.: In the U.S., there are about 10-15 cases of plague reported each year. The cases are usually from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. Throughout the world, there are 1000-3000 cases of plague reported each year, mainly from Africa, southern Asia, and South America (plus there are an unknown number of unreported cases).

Question 5

can i still catch the plague?

Accepted Answer

Yes; unlikely in US: In the U.S., there are about 10-15 cases of plague reported each year. The cases are usually from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. Throughout the world, there are 1000-3000 cases of plague reported each year, mainly from Africa, southern Asia, and South America (plus there are an unknown number of unreported cases).

Question 6

what are the tests for plague?

Accepted Answer

Plague: The bacteria is easily cultured but in plague endemic areas bubonic disease with its extremely painful bubo (lymph node) is classic.

Question 7

what are the symptoms of plague?

Accepted Answer

Plague : Most cases are bubonic... fever and very painful bubo (lymph node).

Question 8

does anyone still get the plague?

Accepted Answer

Sure. : It exists in parts of africa and asia and in the southwestern and western parts of the usa.

Question 9

who is at risk for getting plague?

Accepted Answer

Contact with rats...: Increased risk for getting the plague in the U.S. includes:  people who live in CO, UT, NM, or AZ, and have contact with rats or wild animals; people who live in overcrowded, unsanitary housing, with a high rat population; veterinarians or outdoor workers have contact with sick cats or other animals; hunters, campers, hikers in CO, UT, NM, AZ.

Question 10

can we have a cure now for the plague?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Classic plague is due to a bacteria for which there are antibiotics.  Since it comes from rats and fleas, we can also control them to limit the spread.  There is no vaccine for this conditiion.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Plague medication

A member asked:

How is plague treated?

A member asked:

How do people get plague?

A member asked:

How is plague transmitted?

A member asked:

Where is plague most common?

A member asked:

Can i still catch the plague?

A member asked:

What are the tests for plague?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of plague?

A member asked:

Does anyone still get the plague?

A member asked:

Who is at risk for getting plague?

A member asked:

Can we have a cure now for the plague?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?