Bubonic Plague
Bubonic Plague
The Bubonic Plague, also known as the Black Death or Black Plague, caused devastation centuries ago in Europe and abroad. Today the virus is under control and only a few cases are reported each year. The first outbreak occurred in 542 in Constantinople, Rome wiping out one-fourth of the population. Between 1347 and 1350, 20 million people died due to the plague ("Plague”).
The Bubonic plague spreads from animal to animal and from animal to human by the bite of an infected flea. Most modern cases of the plague can be traced to house rats and their fleas (Causes Of Bubonic Plague). It is also possible to get the plague from another person who is infected. This happens when someone infected coughs or breathes on another person. The virus is easily spread and very contagious.
This disease causes extreme fatigue, chills, headaches and other symptoms related to the flu. What makes this disease much more dangerous and fatal than the flu is that people also contract swollen lymph nodes, that are hot to the touch. The swollen lymph nodes that are affected are the ones under the armpit and in the groin area ("Plague”). People with this disease are often confined to their beds and suffer hallucinations.
People in 14th century Europe were greatly affected by this disease but since then, there is relatively no plague in Europe or Australia ("Plague”). In present day, the plague is most common in developing countries. Parts of Africa, Asia, and South America are the most prevalent places. In the 1300’s the life expectancy of someone with the plague was one week ("Plague”). Since medicine has improved dramatically since the Middle Ages the plague can now be treated with antibiotics. Physicians can determine the disease is the plague by checking for plague bacteria in blood muscles or by taking lymph node samples (Causes Of Bubonic Plague). Prevention is also key. Ways to insure people are not infected by...
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