HEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE Meaning and
Definition
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Hemophilus influenzae is a bacterium that commonly resides in the upper respiratory tract of humans. It is a Gram-negative coccobacillus, meaning it appears as a small, oval-shaped organism with a cell wall that does not retain the crystal violet stain during the Gram staining process.
This bacterium can cause a wide range of infections, including ear infections (otitis media), sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. In severe cases, it can also lead to meningitis, an infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Hemophilus influenzae is classified into two main types: type b and non-type b.
Type b Hemophilus influenzae (Hib) is the more virulent strain and is known to cause severe diseases, particularly in children under the age of five. Non-type b strains are less pathogenic and often cause milder infections. Hib can be prevented through vaccination, which has significantly reduced the incidence of meningitis and other invasive infections caused by this bacterium.
Hemophilus influenzae is transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets, making close contact with an infected individual a significant risk factor for acquiring an infection. Symptoms of Hemophilus influenzae infection depend on the site of infection and may include fever, cough, ear pain, sore throat, and in more severe cases, stiff neck, headache, and vomiting.
Timely medical intervention with appropriate antibiotics is crucial in treating Hemophilus influenzae infections, especially in severe cases like meningitis.
Common Misspellings for HEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE
- haemophilus influenza e
- gemophilus influenzae
- bemophilus influenzae
- nemophilus influenzae
- jemophilus influenzae
- uemophilus influenzae
- yemophilus influenzae
- hwmophilus influenzae
- hsmophilus influenzae
- hdmophilus influenzae
- hrmophilus influenzae
- h4mophilus influenzae
- h3mophilus influenzae
- henophilus influenzae
- hekophilus influenzae
- hejophilus influenzae
- hemiphilus influenzae
- hemkphilus influenzae
- hemlphilus influenzae
- hempphilus influenzae
Etymology of HEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE
The etymology of the word "Haemophilus influenzae" comes from two components:
1. Haemophilus: The term "haemo-" or "hem-" refers to blood, and "-philus" comes from the Greek word "philos", meaning "loving". Together, "Haemophilus" translates to "blood-loving". This name was given to this bacterium because it was originally isolated from the bloodstream during the initial studies.
2. Influenzae: This part of the name derives from the Latin word "influentia", meaning "influence" or "inflow". It was used to describe the influenza virus, as it was previously believed that the illness was caused by the influence of certain unfavorable atmospheric conditions. Therefore, "influenzae" refers to the microorganism's association with the disease influenza.
