10 Common Symptoms of the Plague

With the world currently experiencing the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic, one can’t help but recall the Black Death, the plague that caused severe an epidemic all over Europe in the Middle Ages.

The plague is classified into three types:

Bubonic — the most common form of the plague. It owes its name to the swollen lymph nodes that appear all over the body (buboes).
Septicemic — type of plague where the bacteria spreads in the bloodstream.
Pneumonic — the least common plague, but also the most lethal. It can be spread through inhaling infected cough droplets.

The plague still exists today, but while it’s more treatable now than ever before, you should still be aware of its symptoms…

1. Buboes

Buboes are considered the primary symptom of the plague. They are the swollen lymph nodes found in the groin, armpit, or neck areas and are about the size of an egg. They are usually tender and painful to the touch.

It’ll keep you bound to your bed…

2. Sudden Fever & Chills

Within three to six days after getting infected with the plague, the patient begins to experience a sudden onset of a fever paired with occasional chills. These fevers usually range from 101.3 to 104ºF or even higher in some cases.

This next symptom shouldn’t come as a surprise…

3. Fatigue

Fatigue is the body’s natural response to fighting off an infection, so it’s not surprising that plague victims often experience it, along with fevers. In fact, fatigue that comes with the plague are often more severe than fatigue that comes with the common cold, for example.

If fatigue wasn’t bad enough, this next symptom comes along, too…

4. Overall Body Pain

A patient infected with any type of the plague usually suffers mild to extreme pain all over the body. This can include headaches, chest pains, and muscle pains. Body pain, along with a high fever and extreme fatigue, can leave patients confined to their beds while they are sick.

Symptoms of the plague can brew a storm in your insides, too…

5. Stomach Issues

Gastrointestinal issues like severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea happen more frequently among patients who suffer from either the septicemic and pneumonic plagues.

Here’s where it starts to get serious, though…

6. Bleeding

The septicemic plague can cause small blood clots to form throughout the body. This can leave the blood to bleed directly under the skin. Bleeding also usually occurs from the mouth, nose, rectum, and other organs.

And, the plague often leads to this next symptom…

7. Shock

People afflicted with the plague are also in danger of experiencing a shock. When shock occurs, the blood pressure drops, and the body becomes weak, dizzy, and cold. This symptom is often life-threatening, so it’s critical to seek medical attention right away.

Ever wondered why they call it the “Black Death”? This next symptom explains why…

8. Gangrene

This symptom gives the septicemic plague its infamous epithet. Gangrene occurs when blood clots impede blood flow to the extremities, causing the tissues there to die, and as a result, the fingers, toes, and nose blacken.

But, it’s not only the septicemic plague that can cause bleeding…

9. Bloody Cough

Aside from rapidly developing pneumonia, hemoptysis, or coughing with bloody sputum, is the prominent symptom of the pneumonic plague. This type of plague is spread by inhaling an infected patient’s cough droplets.

Given the nature of this type of plague, one should expect the following…

10. Respiratory Problems

Because of the pneumonic nature of this type of plague, patients tend to experience breathing difficulties now and then. In extreme cases, it can even lead to life-threatening respiratory failure.