typhoid

/'taifɔid/

Thân thiện

A doctor explains the importance of clean water to prevent typhoid.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A serious infectious disease: Typhoid is a severe systemic illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi. It is characterized by high fever, abdominal pain, and intestinal inflammation, often leading to ulceration. Transmission typically occurs through ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacteria.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The outbreak of typhoid in the region was traced to contaminated water supplies.
  • She was hospitalized with a confirmed case of typhoid fever.
  • Vaccination and improved sanitation are key to preventing typhoid.

Advanced Usage

• "Typhoid carrier": A person who harbors and sheds the typhoid bacteria without showing symptoms, potentially spreading the infection.

  • After recovering, he was identified as a typhoid carrier and had to take special precautions.

• "Typhoid Mary": A historical and metaphorical term for a person who, knowingly or unknowingly, spreads disease, trouble, or undesirable ideas. This originates from Mary Mallon, an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever in the early 20th century.

  • He became the office's Typhoid Mary, spreading the latest gossip to everyone.

Variants and Related Words

• Typhoidal (adj): Relating to or resembling typhoid.

  • The patient presented with typhoidal symptoms.

• Typhoid fever (n): The full name of the disease, often used interchangeably with "typhoid."

  • The doctor diagnosed him with typhoid fever.

Synonyms

• Enteric fever: A medical synonym for typhoid fever.
• Abdominal typhus: An older, less common term.

Related Phrases

• To contract typhoid: To become infected with the disease.
  • Travelers are advised on how to avoid contracting typhoid.

Related Idioms

• "Like a typhoid carrier": Used figuratively to describe someone who spreads something negative, such as rumors or pessimism, often without being the apparent source.
  • Be careful what you tell him; he's like a typhoid carrier for bad news.

Học thuật

Noun

1. serious infection marked by intestinal inflammation and ulceration; caused by Salmonella typhosa ingested with food or water

Từ đồng nghĩa

• typhoid fever
• enteric fever