There was no certain way of protecting oneself from the plague, no reliable cure. But of course, people did all they could to avoid falling ill.
They noticed that persons who came near the sick became infected. If one person in a family caught the plague, then the other members of the family would probably fall ill, too. The best way was to stay away from other people. Some went off into the wilderness, to be far away from people. Since sick people had a nasty smell, some tried to keep the disease away by spreading the scent from spices and herbs.
On the European continent, many whipped themselves as a reminder of the torments of Christ. Hundreds of people could walk together in processions scourging each other with whips. At first, the Church approved, but later, as the processions completely degenerated, they were banned.
Never have so many people prayed to God as during the plague-years. It was thought that praying to God and his saints may be the best way to avoid the plague. Still, the plague was considered more or less inescapable, people realised the futility in trying to protect themselves. Some stopped to work altogether and started to enjoy themselves with reckless abandon, drinking and feasting. They wanted to enjoy themselves while still alive - they could be dead by tomorrow! Others accepted the situation and tried to make the best of it. They were happy if God wanted them to stay well, and trusted God to help them if they fell ill.
Monks, nuns and priests saw it as their duty to help the sick. They tried to cure them by using herbs and saying prayers. Since they spent so much time with the ill, they often caught the plague themselves. The plague disappeared just as quickly as it once had arrived. However, it returned...