Is there a medicine for the black plague?

Question

if so what is it called

Answer 1

Antibiotics are the current treatment for bubonic plague (commonly known as the black death or black plague). Recommended drugs include streptomycin, gentamicin, tetracyclics or chloramphenicol (or a mix of these) given intravenously for at least 10 days.

Answer 2

Black Plague is a corruption of the Black Death and Bubonic Plague. It is generally known and referred to as the Black Death. This started in 1347. Coming out of the East, the Black Death reached the shores of Italy in the spring of 1348 unleashing a rampage of death across Europe unprecedented in recorded history. By the time the epidemic played itself out three years later, anywhere between 25% and 50% of Europe's population had fallen victim to the pestilence. The plague presented itself in three interrelated forms. The bubonic variant (the most common) derives its name from the swellings or buboes that appeared on a victim's neck, armpits or groin. These tumors could range in size from that of an egg to that of an apple. Although some survived the painful ordeal, the manifestation of these lesions usually signaled the victim had a life expectancy of up to a week. Infected fleas that attached themselves to rats and then to humans spread this bubonic type of the plague. A second variation - pneumonic plague - attacked the respiratory system and was spread by merely breathing the exhaled air of a victim. It was much more virulent than its bubonic cousin - life expectancy was measured in one or two days. Finally, the septicemic version of the disease attacked the blood system. Having no defense and no understanding of the cause of the pestilence, the men, women and children caught in its onslaught were bewildered, panicked, and finally devastated. Treatment of bubonic plague should begin as soon as the disease is diagnosed. Antibiotics such as streptomycin or tetracycline drugs are given, and symptoms are treated. There is also a vaccination available for people working in or traveling to plague-affected areas of the world. The "Black Death" of the Middle Ages was due to large numbers of flea-ridden rats infesting homes and workplaces. In most developed countries, cities and towns have successfully controlled their rat populations, but rural and urban areas of developing countries often have problems with rat infestation, and thus are at risk of bubonic plague epidemics. Therefore, reducing the risk of plague outbreaks in these areas would require: Controlling the rat population. Watching for plague cases in both rats and humans in the area. Using insecticide to reduce the number of fleas. Treating pets for fleas. Using these measures, public health workers and residents can help make areas threatened by bubonic plague safe for the people who live and work there.
Hope this helps
Matador 89

Answer 3

Prehospital Care:

Provide supportive care.
Crystalloid infusion to maintain normal vital signs and clinical hydration state may be necessary.
Administer oxygen via nasal cannula, nonrebreather mask, or intubation as determined by the respiratory distress of the patient. Use pulse oximetry to monitor the degree of respiratory compromise.
Assume universal precautions, including goggles, gloves, and gown, when dealing with any patient with an infectious disease presentation. Masks should be worn if respiratory involvement is possible.
Emergency Department Care:

Depending on the stage of presentation, supportive care varies. Early presentation may require only crystalloid administration with monitoring of vital signs, clinical state, and urine output.
Septic shock requires invasive hemodynamic monitoring with crystalloid and vasopressor agents. Airway management may require intubation and mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).
Empiric antibiotic coverage is discussed in the Medication section.
Use strict isolation precautions.
If respiratory symptoms are present, institute universal precautions with strict respiratory isolation for the first 72 hours of therapy.
If no respiratory symptoms are present, only 48 hours of isolation or isolation until purulent drainage from the bubo ceases is required.
Incinerate or autoclave all contaminated material.
Inform the laboratory of the possibility of handling plague infected material. Cases of laboratory acquired plague have occurred.
Consultations:

Consult an infectious disease specialist.
Early notification of the CDC allows samples to be sent to the headquarters in Colorado for diagnosis by fluorescent antibody testing. The CDC, in conjunction with the Department of Health, will attempt to identify the source of the plague and implement early epidemiologic measures to control a potential epidemic.
Consult a medical intensivist as indicated.
In most patients with plague, some degree of septic shock is present.
Invasive hemodynamic monitoring and close observation of fluid and cardiac status requires admission to a medical intensive care unit.

Answer 4

No. And the reason is that no living strain of the plague that decimated Europe hundreds of years ago is available to make a vaccine from. But the good news is, there is no more 'Black Plague' to fret over. Maybe a serious pandemic will rear its ugly head again in the future, though--and I HOPE we're ready for it.

Answer 5

The "black plague" is caused by a bacteria. Antibiotics will kill the disease-causing bacteria. If the people of the middle ages had antibiotics then, not nearly as many people would have died. It's curable.

Answer 6

Yes there is treatment for the Plague (cause by the bacterium Yersinia pestis); it's actually present in one of my research areas... not a very pretty sight.

The mainstay of treatment, apart from supportive therapy, is antibiotics: streptomycin, tetracyclines (or tetracycline derivative, e.g. doxycycline), gentamicin, etc.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I don't think you come back from that. It's really called Typhus. Carried from rats. Like the other answer: a bullet, or fire.

www.howstuffworks.com

Answer 8

Yes, it's call Death! LOL...stay away from me!

Answer 9

penicillin

Answer 10

No, but there is a cure... death