How is bubonic plague treated today? What antibiotic is used to treat bubonic plague?

The bubonic plague is an infection of the lymphatic system, usually resulting from the bite of an infected flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (the Oriental rat flea). Several flea species carried the bubonic plague, such as Pulex irritans (the human flea), Xenopsylla cheopis, and Ceratophyllus fasciatus.

How is bubonic plague treated today?

Nowadays, plague is easily treated with antibiotics and the use of standard precautions to prevent acquiring infection.

What antibiotic is used to treat bubonic plague?

Begin appropriate IV therapy as soon as plague is suspected. Gentamicin and fluoroquinolones are typically first-line treatments in the United States. Duration of treatment is 10 to 14 days, or until 2 days after fever subsides. Oral therapy may be substituted once the patient improves.

Other antibiotics have been used in the treatment of these types of plague, but there is a lack of consensus on first-line treatment. The purpose of the WHO Plague Guidelines meeting held in Madagascar from 20 to 21 September 2019 was to formulate recommendations for the use of other antibiotics in the treatment of plague, drawing on multiple sources of evidence.