What is the bubonic plague?

What is the bubonic plague?

Plague is an infectious disease caused by a specific type of bacterium called Yersinia pestis. Y. pestis can affect humans and animals and is spread mainly by fleas. Bubonic plague is one type of plague. It gets its name from the swollen lymph nodes (buboes) caused by the disease. The nodes in the armpit, groin and neck can become as large as eggs and can ooze pus.

The other types of plague are:

• Septicemic plague, which happens when the infection goes all through the body.
• Pneumonic plague, which happens when lungs are infected.