typhus

American  

[tahy-fuhs] / ˈtaɪ fəs /

noun

Pathology.

1. an acute, infectious disease caused by several species of Rickettsia, transmitted by lice and fleas, and characterized by acute prostration, headache, and a peculiar eruption of reddish spots on the body.

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typhus British  

/ ˈtaɪfəs /

noun

1. Also called: typhus fever.  any one of a group of acute infectious rickettsial diseases characterized by high fever, skin rash, and severe headache

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typhus Scientific  

/ tī′fəs /

1. Any of several forms of an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Rickettsia transmitted by fleas, mites, or especially lice, and characterized by severe headache, high fever, and skin rash. Louse-born bacteria that cause typhus are especially virulent and can cause epidemics of the disease, which may be fatal in people with weakened immune systems.

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typhus Cultural  

1. A group of acute and contagious diseases, often fatal, marked by severe headaches and high fever. Typhus is transmitted to humans by fleas, lice, or mites that are infected with the microorganism that causes the disease.

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Other Word Forms

• typhous adjective

Etymology

Origin of typhus

1635–45; < New Latin < Greek tŷphos vapor

Example Sentences

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department identified 220 cases of flea-borne typhus last year, a stark increase over the 187 cases in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The number of typhus cases in the county has increased since 2021, when there were 141 recorded cases, rising to 171 in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Fret not: There are several simple precautions you can take to prevent a flea-borne typhus infection.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Like Donne, we can mine wisdom from the frailty of our mortal bodies—but be grateful that when the bell tolls for thee, plague, smallpox and typhus won’t be to blame.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

“If it’s typhus or cholera or any number of other things, these may help. If it’s malaria or sleeping sickness, I’m afraid they won’t. In any case we will pray for your Ruth.”

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver