There are different forms of the disease. It is rare in the United States, but sometimes occurs in the western and southwestern parts of the country. Anyone can get plague but it occurs more often in people working or visiting areas with infected rodents. Most people get plague by exposure to infected fleas. People may also get the disease by handling the tissues from infected animals.
Symptoms can include fever, chills, nausea, sore throat, headache and body aches.
A characteristic symptom is a swollen, red lymph node on the body near where the infected flea bit the person. The symptoms appear anywhere from one to seven days after exposure. There are special laboratory tests that can be used. Samples may be taken from the swollen lymph node, blood, spinal fluid, or other body sites. Travelers to areas where plague is common should avoid contact with rodents and fleas, avoid handling sick or dead stray animals, and stay away from rodent infested places.