Historical Pandemics: Bubonic Plague, Smallpox, Tuberculosis, Yellow Fever, Malaria

Throughout history, infectious diseases have shaped civilizations. Five of the most devastating:

• Bubonic Plague (Black Death): Caused by Yersinia pestis, spread by rat fleas. Fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes (buboes). Killed 30–60% of Europe's population in the 14th century.
• Smallpox: Viral, spread by contact. Characteristic rash, permanent scars. Eradicated globally in 1980 after killing millions.
• Tuberculosis: Bacterial lung infection, airborne spread. Fever, cough, weight loss. Remains a top infectious killer worldwide.
• Yellow Fever: Viral, mosquito-borne. Fever, jaundice, bleeding. Devastated Africa and the Americas; vaccine available since 1930s.
• Malaria: Parasitic (Plasmodium), mosquito-borne. Fever, chills, anemia. Still kills hundreds of thousands annually, mostly children in Africa.

Vaccines, antibiotics, vector control, and public health infrastructure have transformed outcomes, but vigilance remains essential.