infections
Plague and Other Yersinia Infections
Treatment of Plague
Streptomycinorgentamicin Treatment of plague begins immediately and reduces the risk of death to 11%. For pneumonic or septicemic (bloodstream) plague, antibiotics must be started within 24 hours after symptoms appear. Streptomycinorgentamicinis given by injection for 10 days or until 3 days after temperature has returned to normal. Other antibiotics such asdoxycycline,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin, andciprofloxacinare also effective. People with pneumonic plague must be isolated so that they do not spread the bacteria through the air (called respiratory isolation). Respiratory isolation includes the following: Limiting access to the room Requiring people who work near an infected person to wear a mask, eye protection, a gown, and gloves 