Definition

Noun: 1. A specific infectious disease: "Swamp fever" is a historical and informal term for a bacterial infection, now more precisely called leptospirosis. It is transmitted to humans from animals, often through water contaminated with infected urine. The disease is characterized by symptoms including fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and muscle pain.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The early settlers feared swamp fever after the floods.
  • Swamp fever, or leptospirosis, is a risk for farmers and sewer workers.
  • The patient presented with classic symptoms of swamp fever.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Informal Context: The term "swamp fever" is now considered outdated in formal medical contexts. It is primarily used in historical descriptions or in informal speech to refer to leptospirosis.
  • In his diary, the soldier described an outbreak of swamp fever in the camp.

Variants and Related Words

• Leptospirosis (n): The modern, formal medical term for the disease historically called swamp fever.
  • The doctor diagnosed a case of leptospirosis.
• Weil's disease (n): A severe form of leptospirosis.
  • Weil's disease is a potentially fatal complication.

Synonyms

• Leptospirosis (n): The precise synonym.
• Mud fever (n): Another informal, regional term for a similar condition.

Related Phrases

• To contract swamp fever: To become infected with the disease.
  • He was worried he might contract swamp fever after wading through the floodwater.

Noun

1. an infectious disease cause by leptospira and transmitted to humans from domestic animals; characterized by jaundice and fever