How long did it take someone to die from the Bubonic Plague or Black Death?

Photo of author

Karen Hill

From the time of exposure, flea bite, animal bite, or exposure to mucus, to the onset of the first symptoms, headache, fever, nausea, aching, and swollen buboes, it took about six days on average for someone to die from the Bubonic Plague or Black Death.

The next stage—hemorrhaging and respiratory problems stemming from severe pneumonia—came quickly, usually causing death within a day or two.

Nowadays, luckily, bacterial infections can usually be wiped out by antibiotics.

Related Posts

  1. Why was the Black Death also called the Bubonic Plague?
  2. What Is a Death Rattle, What Causes a Death Rattle, and Why Do People Make a Sound Before Death?
  3. Why Is a Black Hole Black, Where Do Black Holes Come From, and When Were Black Holes First Discovered?
  4. Why Do Insects Turn Over On Their Backs When They Die and How Do Insects Fake Death?
  5. What was the worst plague in human history?
  6. What Is a Black Hole, How Are Black Holes Created, and What Would Happen If You Fell Into a Black Hole?