What is difference between pneumonic and bubonic plague?

The plague is a disease caused by the bacterium _Yersinia pestis_ and can take different forms depending on the route of infection. Although it is often thought that the plague presents only with buboes (lymph node swelling), it can, in fact, have numerous expressions, including pneumonic, septicemic and bubonic forms, as well as combinations of these.

Pneumonic plague

- Transmission: Through inhalation of infected droplets from a person or animal with pneumonic plague.

- Symptoms:

- Fever, chills, and headache

- Difficulty breathing

- Coughing up bloody or frothy sputum

- Chest pain

- Shortness of breath

- Weakness and fatigue

- Confusion and delirium

- Progression:

- If untreated, pneumonic plague can progress rapidly and lead to respiratory failure and death within 2-3 days.

Bubonic plague

- Transmission: Through the bite of an infected flea or by direct contact with infected animals or humans.

- Symptoms:

- Fever, chills, and headache

- Swollen and tender lymph nodes (buboes) in the groin, armpit, or neck

- Pain in the affected area

- Weakness and fatigue

- Loss of appetite

- Nausea and vomiting

- Progression:

- Bubonic plague is usually less severe than pneumonic plague and can be treated effectively with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

Comparison

- Pneumonic plague spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets, while bubonic plague is transmitted through the bites of infected fleas or by direct contact with infected animals or humans.

- Pneumonic plague has a shorter incubation period (1-3 days) and is more rapidly fatal if untreated.

- Bubonic plague has a longer incubation period (2-10 days) and is usually less severe.