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What symptoms are associated with pneumonic plague?
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plague
Image depicting victims of the sixth biblical plague.
Pneumonic plague is a severe and highly infectious form of plague characterized by extensive invasion of the lungs by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.1
The physical symptoms of pneumonic plague include:
- Respiratory distress: Fever, weakness, and shortness of breath, which are consistent with severe pneumonia.1
- Pulmonary edema: The lungs fill with fluid, a condition that can lead to death within three to four days if left untreated.1
- Neurological and systemic manifestations: Patients may experience insomnia, stupor, a staggering gait, speech disorders, and memory loss.1
Unlike other forms of the disease, pneumonic plague is highly infectious because the bacteria can be transmitted to others through droplets expelled during coughing or sneezing. It can occur as a primary infection or as a complication of bubonic plague. Prompt antibiotic treatment is essential to prevent fatality.12