How to Treat Pneumonic Plague

Pneumonic plague is one of three of the most dreaded diseases caused by the bacterium yersinia pestis. It is also the most lethal; in some cases the mortality rate is 100 percent. It may also accompany bubonic plague and septicemic plague, usually as a secondary effect of the illnesses.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Quarantine individuals once pneumonic plague has been diagnosed. Besides the fact this is a highly contagious disease, these patients require special attention and care. This is mostly palliative care because the disease must run its course and usually ends in death.
2. Administer antibiotics immediately if the pnuemonic plague is suspected. It is rare this plague is diagnosed in time for the antibiotics to take effect because the body cannot defend itself faster than the plague can multiply. This happens because the initial symptoms mimic those of flu or other illnesses and by the time the plague is suspected it's too late.
3. Use streptomycin as the first-line defense in the case of pneumonic plague. There are other antibiotics that can be used, but they aren't as effective. The dosage must be prescribed with consideration for the age and condition of the patient. Pregnant women are given different antibiotics that cannot harm the fetus. If possible, the antibiotics must be given intravenously.
4. Administer respiratory therapy when breathing becomes difficult. This must be a high oxygen content and high-pressure treatment to be effective. Although, this does not cure the plague it buys precious time, giving the antibiotics a longer time period in which to work.
5. Watch for new developments in pneumonic plague treatments. A very promising study shows that the microorganism needs a plasminogen activator to carry the plague through the body. This protein breaks down other essential proteins and destroys the blood clots encapsulating the infection. When this barrier is breached, the infection enters the bloodstream and travels to the lungs and other parts of the body.