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Did the Black Death include bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic plague?
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Black Death
Flagellants in the Netherlands scourging themselves in atonement, believing that the Black Death is a punishment from God for their sins, 1349.
Yes, the Black Death is widely believed to have been caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is responsible for the three clinical forms of plague: bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic.123
While DNA evidence confirms the presence of Yersinia in victims of the Black Death, it remains uncertain which specific form of the infection was most prevalent during the pandemic. However, it is considered likely that all three forms played a role in the outbreak.3
- Bubonic plague: The most common form, characterized by painful, swollen lymph nodes known as buboes.143
- Pneumonic plague: A highly infectious form that invades the lungs, causing symptoms similar to severe pneumonia.143
- Septicemic plague: An infection of the bloodstream that can lead to death rapidly, sometimes before other symptoms manifest.143