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. 2006 Mar;12(3):460–467. doi: 10.3201/eid1203.051051

Table. National history and timing of symptom onset for index patients (secondary pneumonic plague) versus caregiver-patients (primary pneumonic plague), Uganda, December 2004.

Symptoms† Patient‡ Symptom onset by day of illness*
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM
Fever/chills A1 X
B1 X
A2 O
B2 O
Headache A1 X
B1 X
A2 O
B2 O
Lymphadenopathy A1 X
B1 Unknown
A2 None
B2 None
Weakness A1 X
B1 X
A2 O
B2 O
Cough A1 X
B1 X
A2 O
B2 O
Chest pain A1 X
B1
A2 O
B2 O
Productive cough A1 X
B1 X
A2 O
B2 O
Bloody sputum A1 X
B1 X
A2 O
B2 O
Shortness of breath A1
B1 X
A2 O
B2 O
Nonambulatory A1
B1 X
A2 O
B2 Never
Death/effective
treatment B1
A2
B2 O#

*X, secondary pneumonic plague index patient; O, primary pneumonic plague caregiver-patient. AM, symptom first appeared between midnight and noon; PM, symptom first appeared between noon and midnight.
†Additional symptoms: caregiver A2 had a sore throat and ulcerative pharyngitis. Caregiver B2 had a burning back pain that started at the time of illness onset. Index patients A1 and B1 both had vomiting, and B1 also had diarrhea.
‡Cases are listed by time of onset: 12/9 (A1), 12/13 (B1), 12/23 (A2), 12/25 (B2). Caregiver A2 reported her husband was ill about midday on 12/23, but symptoms might have started earlier. Caregiver A2 was index patient A1's mother and her primary caregiver during her illness. Caregiver B2 was index patient B1's sister and his primary caregiver during his illness.
§Patient B1 first reported to family members severe chest pain on day 6 of illness but might have had mild chest pain earlier.
¶Death.
#Treatment and survival.