Arizona resident dies from pneumonic plague; What to know about the disease (symptoms, risk factors, treatment inside)
According to the local officials, the death in Coconino County was the first recorded death from pneumonic plague since 2007.
Unlike the bubonic plague, this strain infects the lungs and can spread from person to person via respiratory droplets. Let's take a look at this rare disease, its symptoms, risk factors, and treatments.
What is Pneumonic Plague?
Pneumonic plague is a severe lung infection caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Symptoms include fever, headache, shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing.
They typically start about three to seven days after exposure.
Forms of plague:
Bubonic (lymph nodes),
Septicemic (bloodstream),
Pneumonic (lungs)—the deadliest and only form transmissible between humans.
Transmission:
Inhalation of infected droplets or progression from untreated bubonic/septicemic cases, and in rare animal-to-human instances. No human-to-human spread has been recorded in the US since 1924.
What are the symptoms of the pneumonic plague?
The symptoms of pneumonic plague begin one to four days after exposure to the bacteria. Although the early symptoms mostly consist of fever, headache, weakness, nausea, and a bloody or watery cough due to infection of the lungs (pneumonia), pulmonary symptoms include rapid breathing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and cough with bloody or watery sputum.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
The pneumonia rapidly becomes worse, and if left untreated, mortality is nearly certain within 18–36 hours.
What are the risk factors of the pneumonic plague?
Flea bites carrying the bacteria from wild rodents to humans, handling infected animals or carcasses, and inhaling respiratory droplets from infected hosts can be some of the common risk factors behind pneumonic plague.
As per the Cleveland Clinic, this fatal disease can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing, just like the common cold.
You can also get it from close contact with infected animals or from bacteria moving to your lungs from another part of your body (secondary infection).
Rural western US, like Northern Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, are marked as geographic hotspots for the disease and average approximately 7 plague cases annually in the country.
Diagnosis and treatment:
The difference between the forms of plague is the location of infection; in pneumonic plague, the infection is in the lungs, in bubonic plague the lymph nodes, and in septicemic plague, within the blood.
Diagnosis is by testing the blood, sputum, or fluid from a lymph node.
Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics is essential because untreated plague – especially the pneumonic form – is almost always fatal. The antibiotic therapy is highly effective if started early – streptomycin, gentamicin, doxycycline, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol are standard options. However, you should use antibiotics to prevent or treat plague only under the direction of your healthcare provider or local health department.
It is important to note that treatment must begin within 24 hours of symptom onset to avert fatality.
Precaution and prevention tips:
As per
research
, the case-fatality rate for pneumonic plague in the United States since 1950 approaches 50%. To prevent person-to-person transmission, patients with suspected pneumonic plague should be managed in isolation under respiratory droplet precautions. Wear gloves if you are handling or skinning potentially infected animals to prevent contact between your skin and the plague bacteria. Contact your local health department if you have questions about the disposal of dead animals.
Model-actor Poonam Pandey dies of Cervical Cancer: All you need to know about this cancer and current treatments
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
7 common myths about ADHD every parent should stop believing
As parents, we all want to ensure our children are happy, healthy, and have every opportunity to succeed. However, understanding certain conditions can be overwhelming at times, especially amid all the misinformation floating around. One such challenge is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition that many children around the world face. This includes India, where it affects about 7.1% of children and adolescents. Despite its prevalence, many people often misunderstand ADHD. Let's clear up some common misconceptions together so you can be well-informed and provide the best care for your child. Myth 1: ADHD Is Not a Legitimate Medical Disease Fact: It's easy to believe that ADHD isn't a "real" medical issue because there is no simple blood test for it. Nonetheless, scientific data firmly supports its biological origins. For instance, ADHD frequently runs in families, indicating a genetic link. Furthermore, substantial studies employing MRI brain scans have revealed real, detectable variations in brain size between children with ADHD and those without. Children with ADHD may have smaller brain areas responsible for emotion regulation, self-control, memory, and learning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo These physical distinctions demonstrate that ADHD is a real neurological illness, not just a behavioural quirk. Myth 2: Children with ADHD Should "Try Harder" Fact: This myth implies that children with ADHD are merely lazy or unmotivated, which is far from the case. ADHD is neither a character defect nor a lack of effort. Telling a child with ADHD to "just focus" is like telling someone with bad vision to "just see farther." The main issue is not their willingness but rather basic disparities in how their brains function and are formed. In essence, a child's ADHD brain processes information differently, making it extremely difficult for them to focus on tasks that aren't intrinsically exciting, no matter how hard they try. Myth 3: Children with ADHD Can Never Focus Fact: While children with ADHD frequently struggle to maintain focus, this does not preclude them from ever being able to concentrate. In fact, if they are really engaged in something, they can frequently demonstrate extraordinarily intense, persistent attention—a phenomenon known as hyperfocus. For example, a youngster with ADHD may be easily distracted in class yet can become entirely immersed in a video game or a favourite activity for hours. The true obstacle is not a complete lack of focus but rather the difficulty in deciding what to focus on and sustaining that focus on jobs that aren't naturally appealing. Myth 4: All Children with ADHD Exhibit Hyperactivity Fact: The traditional image of a youngster with ADHD is one who is continuously active and unable to sit still. However, not all children with ADHD exhibit hyperactivity. Moreover, for those who are, hyperactivity typically decreases or even disappears as they age. ADHD is classified into three forms, one of which impacts attention but not hyperactivity. This kind, also known as "ADD," is distinguished by inattention rather than continual movements. Myth 5: ADHD Only Affects Boys Fact: While boys are diagnosed with ADHD nearly twice as often as girls, this does not indicate that girls do not have it. Instead, girls are considerably more likely to be overlooked and untreated. This is common since ADHD affects girls differently than boys. Girls with ADHD had lower levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Their symptoms may appear as "daydreamy," silent, or unorganised, which is easily misread or neglected. Unfortunately, this might delay or prevent them from receiving the necessary diagnosis and support. Myth 6: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Is a Learning Handicap Fact: ADHD is not considered a learning disability. While symptoms such as difficulties paying attention and organising might definitely impede learning, they do not immediately cause problems with specific academic skills such as reading, writing, or math. It's vital to note that learning difficulties frequently coexist with ADHD, which can contribute to this widespread misperception. However, these are separate conditions. Even so, children with ADHD are eligible for school support, and adults with ADHD can frequently receive job accommodations to help them manage their symptoms and succeed. Myth 7: Children With ADHD Will Eventually Outgrow It Fact: While it is comfortable to believe that children with ADHD will simply "outgrow" it, this is largely inaccurate. While some symptoms may fade or change as they develop and learn coping skills, the majority of people with ADHD continue to experience them throughout adulthood. ADHD symptoms can change over time; for example, hyperactivity may lessen, but difficulties with executive functions such as planning and emotional regulation frequently linger. Controlling symptoms is crucial, but it doesn't completely eliminate the problem. Understanding these facts is critical for parents and the broader society. Debunking these beliefs not only helps to decrease the stigma associated with ADHD but also ensures that those affected receive the necessary knowledge, support, and tools to live full and productive lives. (Dr. Sonam Kothari, Pediatric Neurologist, Co-Founder & CEO, Butterfly Learnings)
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Centre fixes prices of 71 key drug formulations, including cancer medicines
Representative image NEW DELHI: The Centre has fixed the price of 71 key drug formulations, including medicines approved for treating metastatic breast cancer, allergies and diabetes, among others. Also, the notification issued by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) states that the manufacturer may add Goods and Services Tax (GST) only if they have paid or it is payable to the government on the retail price. The drugs for which prices have been fixed include Trastuzumab by Reliance Life Sciences. It is used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and gastric cancer. The NPPA has fixed its price at Rs 11,966 per vial. The price of a combination drug containing clarithromycin, esomeprazole and amoxicillin which is used to treat peptic ulcer disease - a sore on the lining of the stomach - manufactured by Torrent Pharmaceuticals has been fixed at Rs 162.5 per tablet. The price of a combipack of ceftriaxone, disodium edetate and sulbactam powder used to treat life-threatening infections has been fixed at Rs 626 per vial. Another key drug combination used for treating infections containing ceftriaxone, disodium edetate and sulbactam powder for solution for Infusion from Tyykem has been priced at Rs 515.5 per vial, according to the NPPA notification. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The NPPA has also notified the retail price of 25 anti-diabetes formulations containing sitagliptin as a component, apart from several other antidiabetic formulations containing empagliflozin as a combination in its latest notification. NPPA, a government regulatory agency, is responsible for controlling and revising the prices of pharmaceutical products in India. In February, the regulatory body issued an order stating that drug manufacturers must issue a price list to the dealers, state drug controllers and the government, indicating reference to such price fixation or revision as covered by the order or gazette notification issued by the government from time to time. "The order to display the price list is to allow citizens to cross-check whether the pharmacies are selling at the price fixed by NPPA or not," said an official. "Every retailer and dealer shall display the price list and the supplementary price list, if any, as furnished by the manufacturer, on a conspicuous part of the premises where he carried on business in a manner so as to be easily accessible to any person wishing to consult the same," the NPPA's February order stated. It added that the directive also covers the virtual/online premises where the retailer or dealer carries on business.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
No improvement in student's condition: AIIMS
Bhubaneswar: AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Monday said there is no improvement in the health condition of the 20-year-old girl who attempted self-immolation outside a govt college in Balasore on Saturday over alleged sexual harassment by a faculty member. "We cannot say the condition is improving. We can say she is critical and stable. Her condition is the same as when she arrived at the hospital," said Dillip Kumar Parida, medical superintendent of AIIMS Bhubaneswar. She is under ventilator support in the burn ICU. She has severe internal injuries affecting important organs like the kidneys and lungs. A team of doctors is trying to provide the best treatment to the girl, the superintendent said. "We are monitoring the patient 24x7. An expert team reviewed the health condition of the girl on Monday morning. They also discussed her situation with experts from AIIMS, Delhi. The patient's condition remains critical like Sunday. We have been saying that the 72-hour period is very crucial," Parida added. He said fluid replacement and dialysis were carried out. "There was an increase in the body temperature of the patient. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo AIIMS, Delhi has advised continuing with the same antibiotics until the culture sensitivity report comes. Blood pressure is being controlled with inotropes. The rate of respiration is high because of the infection," Parida said. AIIMS Bhubaneswar has formed an expert committee for the management and monitoring of the girl's treatment. "The committee can co-opt any other faculty member of any clinical department as and when required and shall do the best possible management for the patient. Treatment shall be provided free of cost as decided by the govt," read a statement from the health institute. The girl's cousin brother, who is present at the hospital, said doctors are trying to save her life, but her condition remains critical. "We are waiting for a positive result within the first 72 hours. I thank the govt for providing the best possible treatment to my sister. A special team of doctors is looking after her. We appeal to the people to pray for my sister," the 36-year-old said. He said the individuals responsible for her sister's condition should not be spared. "Proper investigation is needed in my sister's case," he added.
