Brief Overview
The bubonic plague is a high mortality rate bacterial disease which caused many victims to die from its horrifying symptoms. Ones infected had less than a 33% survival rate. (In the Medieval Times). This is one of the deadliest plague to strike the world and therefore has earnt its nickname the "Black Death."
The Causative Bacterium
The causative agent of the bubonic plague was a bacterium. It is scientifically named the Yersinia Pestis. It is a gram-negative bacterium and is usually of a rod shape. It is usually bipolar stain in colour. The bacteria can use a variety of organic and non organic substances as a food source. Its shape has also been described to be of like a safety pin.
History of the Black Death
Records prove that we have experienced this plague since the 6th century, however it was not until 1894 that scientist Alexander Yensin discovered and named the causative bacterium. During the 14th century the deadliest plague struck with wiped out more than 25% of the past European population in the space of seven years (1346-1353). Before records it is believed that we have experienced this bacterium for over thousands of years, these outbreaks have lasted for roughly 1-5 decades, every outbreak killing many millions of people. Therefore it has been recognised as one of the most deadly plagues to ever hit. Throughout history the disease has become easily recognisable with victims suffering from dark inflammation of lymph nodes, therefore earning its nickname of the "Black Death." The disease is still being reported in many countries every year but it has been less deadly as technology advances.
Epidemiology
This disease has thrived in most temperate and desert zones around the world, the most profound being in much of Europe and parts of Asia. In past epidemics over hundreds of millions of people have been killed in total, being extremely influential especially towards medieval Europe's economy and daily lifestyle. In the peak of the plague over 1/3 of England's population was wiped out. However this disease does not survive well in many conditions, only being able to be heavily dangerous when the temperature is temperate. The origins of this plague has been linked to Asia, with beliefs stating that it may have been introduced into Europe from Mongolia. Every year, not in outbreak season, roughly 1 to 3 thousand people have been reported to be affected by this plague. The rate of infection is very low, however when conditions are right and carriers are available, it can spread through and infect millions of people in a matter of weeks. The reservoirs of this pathogen has been reported in infected fleas and mice. The fleas were reported to be the first hosts, infecting and jumping on mice and affecting them. The poor hygiene standards of medieval Europe made it possible for the plague to spread from fleas to mice to humans. The spread of the disease has been linked to the large outbreaks of black rats and the oriental flea. The disease is generally not airborne, the most common ways of transmission being through rat and flea bites and having contact with infected bodily fluids of rats and humans. However, it is possible for it to be transmitted through droplets of saliva, therefore heavy sneezing and coughing could be a form of transmission. In later years cats have also been plausible hosts of the Black Death.
Effects of the Bubonic Plague
The bubonic plague targets the lymph nodes of the body, primarily being near the groin, armpits and other parts where these nodes may exist. It causes dark inflammation of these areas, ranging from the size of eggs to the large upsize of an apple. Later on red spots will appear all over the body, later turning in to large black gashes, this signalled that the person is dying or is already dead. It appears to look like internal bleeding. The disease usually killed the victim with more than a 65% mortality rate while in the peak, however with technology advancing, this number is drastically decreasing. In medieval times, no antibacterial was developed and that meant the yop toxins injected by the bacteria will disable and digest many of the host's cells. Within 3-7 days of exposure to this bacterium, one will develop flu like symptoms, and not long after, they will probably die to this disease. The mortality rate of this disease is really determined by the form of the bacterium they have contracted. The decline was sluggish taking much time for the lymph nodes to heal, that is if they're survived this deadly disease. The symptoms of this disease is almost indents all to that of a flu, including a fever, headaches, chills and weakness. However it will gradually induce the inflammation of the lymph nodes, when this happens the victim can rarely be saved. Some may also experience blood-shot eyes, coughing up blood and even pneumonia.
Treatment
Once the bacterium enter the body, our immune system immediately reacts, however this is prevented much by the toxins from the pathogen. This is injected into the system from the pathogen and cripples the host and makes it extremely difficult to fight against. This made the disease extremely deadly in the medieval times where very little medication existed to fight off bacteria. However, our hygiene and safety regulations have risen. The rise of the antibacterial saw the demise of many bacterial infections. Therefore if you contract this disease in current days, as long as you seek medical attention, you would most definitely survive the disease and recover much more faster. Without the medication, your body's cells would eventually be weakened and ingested by the bacterium as a form of food. With the antibacterial in your body, the bacterium will gradually die out. Preventing the bubonic plague is quite simple, you have to avoid all bodily contact with all infected organisms. Furthermore you have to avoid contact with there bodily fluids, live or dead. The disease isn't really airborne, unless the person is suffering from pneumonia. In that case their spit, cough or sneeze could easily infect you.