There was no escaping the plague in 14th century England, as it attacked cities and rural areas, young and old, and all classes of society.
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| A portion of Dance Macabre for Reval, Bernt Notke, 15th century |
Most people came down with bubonic plague as a result of bites from infected fleas, which were common among the rat population. The World Health Organization notes that the infection starts with symptoms similar to the flu, including fever, aches, and nausea. Eventually the disease attacks the lymph nodes and creates the painful dark swellings known as "bubos."
Even those who could avoid rats were at risk. Septicemic plague, where the disease enters the blood instead of the lymph nodes, can come from contact with items that were touched or used by infected individuals (WHO).
With a plague mortality rate ranging up to 60%, it's hard to image that those who died were the lucky ones. For survivors, a secondary infection called pneumonic plague was also a risk. Like the common cold, this version of plague can be spread through sneezes, coughing, etc.; no rat or flea contact is needed. Pneumonic plague was almost certainly a death sentence for its victims (WHO).
