Introduction and Objectives

In this lesson you will learn about the clinical presentation of plague. Because it is likely that it will be an astute clinician who recognizes a potential act of bioterrorism, it is important for you to understand and recognize the presentation of naturally occurring disease.

We will look at the three major forms of plague - bubonic, pneumonic and septicemic - in more detail. At the end of this lesson you should be able to:

• Identify the distinctions between bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic plague with regard to symptoms and disease course.