The three types of plague, historically known as the Black Death, are defined by the area of the body affected by the Yersinia pestis bacteria. These are:
- Bubonic plague
- Septicemic plague
- Pneumonic plague
Each type manifests differently, although they are all caused by the same bacteria.
The Three Types of Plague Explained
Here's a breakdown of each plague type:
1. Bubonic Plague
- Key Feature: Characterized by swollen, painful lymph nodes called buboes, typically in the groin, armpit, or neck.
- Cause: Usually results from the bite of an infected flea.
- Symptoms: Sudden onset of fever, headache, chills, and weakness, in addition to the buboes.
- Note: The bubonic plague is the most common form of the plague.
2. Septicemic Plague
- Key Feature: An infection of the blood.
- Cause: Can occur as a progression from bubonic plague or from direct entry of the bacteria into the bloodstream through cuts or wounds.
- Symptoms: Fever, chills, extreme weakness, abdominal pain, shock, and potentially bleeding into the skin and other organs. Skin and other tissues may turn black and die, especially on fingers, toes, and the nose.
- Note: Septicemic plague is a severe and life-threatening form of the plague.
3. Pneumonic Plague
- Key Feature: An infection of the lungs.
- Cause: Can develop from bubonic or septicemic plague or from inhaling infectious droplets expelled by a person or animal with pneumonic plague.
- Symptoms: Fever, headache, weakness, rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and sometimes bloody or watery sputum.
- Note: Pneumonic plague is the most virulent and least common form of the plague and can be transmitted from person to person. Because of the airborne transmission route and potentially rapid progression, it can cause severe outbreaks.
