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Warning-sign checks

Glandular plague: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency medical care now if you develop sudden fever with a painful swollen lymph node after:

    • A flea bite in an area where plague occurs
    • Contact with a sick or dead wild animal
    • A bite, scratch, or close contact with a sick cat
    • Close exposure to someone suspected of having pneumonic plague

    Tell emergency staff about the possible exposure before or as soon as you arrive.

    Call emergency services for breathing difficulty, chest pain, bloody mucus, confusion, fainting, unusual bleeding, blue or darkened skin, or rapidly worsening weakness.

    Routine follow-up after treatment is different from emergency care.

    It may cover recovery, healing lymph nodes, test results, medication effects, and any longer-term complications.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Do not wait for symptoms to become severe.

    If you are already receiving treatment, seek prompt medical advice if fever returns, the bubo becomes more painful or starts draining, you cannot keep medicine down, or you develop a possible medication reaction.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    This helps them arrange suitable testing and precautions.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Glandular plague. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.