Definition

1. Noun:
   • A parasitic nematode: A long, thin parasitic roundworm (Dracunculus medinensis) found in parts of Africa and Asia, which infects humans and other vertebrates.
   • The disease caused by this worm: A painful and debilitating infection contracted by drinking water containing tiny crustaceans infected with the worm's larvae.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (the parasite):
  • The guinea worm can grow up to a meter in length inside a human host.
  • Efforts to eradicate the guinea worm have been largely successful.
• Noun (the disease):
  • He was suffering from guinea worm, which caused a painful blister on his leg.
  • The campaign aims to eliminate the transmission of guinea worm.

Advanced Usage

• "Guinea worm disease": The formal medical term for the infection, also known as dracunculiasis.
  • The World Health Organization has targeted guinea worm disease for eradication.
• "Guinea worm eradication": Refers to the international public health effort to eliminate the parasite.
  • Guinea worm eradication is a major goal of global health organizations.

Variants and Related Words

• Dracunculiasis (n): The medical term for guinea worm disease.
• Dracunculus medinensis (n): The scientific (Latin) name for the guinea worm parasite.

Synonyms

• Fiery serpent (archaic/historical): An old descriptive name for the guinea worm, referring to the burning sensation it causes.
• Medina worm: Another historical name derived from the city of Medina.

Related Phrases

• Guinea worm infection: Another way to refer to the disease.
  • Preventing guinea worm infection relies on providing clean drinking water.

Noun

1. parasitic roundworm of India and Africa that lives in the abdomen or beneath the skin of humans and other vertebrates
2. a painful and debilitating infestation contracted by drinking stagnant water contaminated with Guinea worm larvae that can mature inside a human's abdomen until the worm emerges through a painful blister in the person's skin