Disease Atlas / Disease detail

Plague

An atlas of Yersinia pestis exposure, clinical forms, urgent testing, antibiotics, and public-health response.

plague · Yersinia pestis infection

MONDO:0019095Public QA completeSource-bound · 4

Disease at a glance

Start with the essentials, then explore the patient and research views.

Public revision · ca80a854a4da

Disease class: Plague is infection with Yersinia pestis bacteria.
Core mechanism: Exposure to infected fleas, rodents, or animal tissue creates risk.
Genes or cause: Pneumonic plague can spread person to person by droplets.
Typical features: Bubonic plague commonly causes painful swollen lymph nodes.
Variability: Septicemic and pneumonic forms can deteriorate rapidly.
Diagnosis: Travel, residence, and animal contact in endemic areas are assessed.
Management: Blood, lymph-node aspirate, and respiratory specimens are tested.
Treatment and research: Culture and public-health confirmatory testing support diagnosis.
Reading evidence: Strong suspicion warrants treatment without waiting for results.
Key caution: Recommended antibiotics are administered promptly.

A structured guide for understanding the disease and preparing for clinical conversations.

Plague is infection with Yersinia pestis bacteria.

Bubonic plague commonly causes painful swollen lymph nodes.

Exposure to infected fleas, rodents, or animal tissue creates risk.

Pneumonic plague can spread person to person by droplets.

Septicemic and pneumonic forms can deteriorate rapidly.

Travel, residence, and animal contact in endemic areas are assessed.

Blood, lymph-node aspirate, and respiratory specimens are tested.

Culture and public-health confirmatory testing support diagnosis.

Close contacts are evaluated for monitoring and prophylaxis.

Clinical form, exposure, specimens, and contact management require immediate review.

This material is for disease education and is not a personal diagnosis or treatment instruction.

A trial registry status does not establish efficacy or regulatory approval.