Home Health Center Plague   Plague - Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Plague

 The diagnosis of plague begins with the physical examination of the person by a medical practitioner. The physician evaluates the possibility of the individual being in close contact with rodents and carriers of the disease. He questions the person regarding any travels that have been recently undertaken. This is to know if the person has ventured into a territory where the incidence of plague is high. Some of the signs and symptoms of plague are similar to those of typhoid fever as well, and hence that needs to be ruled out by the physician.

If the medical practitioner suspects plague, a blood or sputum culture is ordered. The presence of the Yersinia pestis bacteria is then detected under the microscope. In certain cases, fluid from the lymph nodes may be sent in for laboratory tests as well.