Plague: Difference between revisions

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==Management==
==Management==
''[[Droplet precautions]] if pneumonic form suspected''
''[[Droplet precautions]] if pneumonic form suspected''
*Plague is a reportable disease to the CDC
*If bioterrorism suspected, health authorities must be contacted immediately


===[[Antibiotics]]===
===[[Antibiotics]]===
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==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*Plague is a reportable disease to the CDC
*Admit
*If bioterrorism suspected, health authorities must be contacted immediately
**Droplet precautions if pneumonic form suspected


==See Also==
==See Also==

Revision as of 12:09, 5 June 2016

Background

  • The plague is a severe, acute infection caused by Gram Negative bacillus, Yersinia pestis.
  • Two main forms are bubonic and pulmonic forms
  • Considered a Class A bioterrorism agent

Clinical Features

Bubonic plague

  • Eschar often forms at site of vector bite (usually flea bite)
  • Buboes (inflamed, necrotic or hemorrhagic lymph nodes) are pathognomonic
    • Usually in axilla or groin
  • Liver and splenic involvement
  • Septicemia
  • Death if untreated in 2-10 days

Pulmonic plague

  • Very contagious
  • Can be hematogenous or aerosolized (weapon form)
  • Hemoptysis
  • Mulilobar hemorrhagic pneumonia
  • Sepsis
  • Death if untreated in 48 hours

Differential Diagnosis

Lower Respiratory Zoonotic Infections

Bioterrorism Agents[1]

Category A

Category B

  • Ricin
  • Brucellosis
  • Epsilon toxin
  • Psittacosis
  • Q Fever
  • Staph enterotoxin B
  • Typhus
  • Glanders
  • Melioidosis
  • Food safety threats
  • Water safety threats
  • Viral encephalitis

Category C

Diagnosis

Management

Droplet precautions if pneumonic form suspected

  • Plague is a reportable disease to the CDC
  • If bioterrorism suspected, health authorities must be contacted immediately

Antibiotics

Postexposure Prophylaxis

Active Disease

Disposition

  • Admit
    • Droplet precautions if pneumonic form suspected

See Also

References