typhus

[tahy-fuhs]

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.

typhus

/ 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

typhus

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.

typhus

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.

Other Word Forms

• typhous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of typhus¹

1635–45; < New Latin < Greek tŷphos vapor

Word History and Origins

Origin of typhus¹

C18: from New Latin tӯphus, from Greek tuphos fever; related to tuphein to smoke