PNEUMOTYPHUS Meaning and
Definition
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Pneumotyphus is a medical term that refers to a rare and severe condition characterized by inflammation and infection of the lungs. It is primarily caused by inhaling small particles or droplets carrying the bacterium Rickettsia prowazekii, which is the causative agent of epidemic or louse-borne typhus.
This condition typically occurs in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, such as during times of war, natural disasters, or in refugee camps, where close contact and poor hygiene facilitate its spread. Pneumotyphus can also arise from direct contact with infected lice or their excreta.
The symptoms of pneumotyphus often develop after an incubation period of 10 to 14 days and generally include high fever, severe headache, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. As the condition progresses, patients may experience respiratory distress, lung consolidation, and the formation of fluid-filled spaces in the lung tissue (pneumonitis). Without timely medical intervention, pneumotyphus can be fatal.
Diagnosis of pneumotyphus is typically confirmed through laboratory tests, such as blood cultures or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which detect the presence of the Rickettsia prowazekii bacterium.
Treatment for pneumotyphus involves the administration of appropriate antibiotics, such as doxycycline or tetracycline, along with supportive care to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
Prevention of pneumotyphus includes practicing good personal hygiene, maintaining clean and sanitary living conditions, and employing effective measures to control lice populations.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PNEUMOTYPHUS
- pneumotypxus
- pneumotyplus
- pneumotypius
- pneumotyph5s
- pneumotyphes
- pneumotyphqs
- pneumotyphws
- pneumotyphts
- pneumotyphu3
- pneumotyphuc
- pneumotyphuq
- pneumotyphur
- pn eumotyphus
- pne umotyphus
- pneu motyphus
- pneum otyphus
- pneumo typhus
- pneumot yphus
- pneumotyph us
- pneumotyphu s
Etymology of PNEUMOTYPHUS
The word "pneumotyphus" is a medical term that is not commonly used in modern English. However, it can be broken down into its components to understand its etymology:
1. Pneumo-: This prefix comes from the Greek word "pneuma", meaning breath, air, or wind. It is often used in medical terminology to refer to the lungs or the respiratory system.
2. Typhus: This term originates from the Greek word "typhos", which means fever or stupor. Typhus is a group of infectious diseases that include epidemic typhus, murine typhus, and scrub typhus.
So, based on its components, "pneumotyphus" could be inferred to describe a febrile condition or disease affecting the respiratory system.
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