How Do You Spell SYPHILOPHOBIA?

Pronunciation: [sˌa͡ɪfɪləfˈə͡ʊbi͡ə] (IPA)

The word syphilophobia is spelled with the following IPA symbols: /sɪfɪləˈfoʊbiə/. The first syllable "sif" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by "il" with a long "i". The "o" in "phobia" is pronounced like "oh", and the final syllable has a long "i" sound followed by "ə". Syphilophobia is the fear of contracting syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease. Though treatable with antibiotics, syphilis is a serious infection that can cause long-term health problems if not promptly addressed.

SYPHILOPHOBIA Meaning and Definition

1. Syphilophobia is a noun that refers to an intense and irrational fear or phobia of contracting syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It is derived from the combination of "syphilis," which is the name of the disease, and "phobia," which signifies an extreme or irrational fear.

   Individuals who have syphilophobia experience significant distress and anxiety when facing the possibility of contracting syphilis, even if the threat is minimal or nonexistent. This fear may manifest in a variety of ways, including avoiding sexual activities altogether, compulsively seeking medical tests for syphilis, or exhibiting extreme cleanliness and hygiene practices to prevent infection.

   The origins of syphilophobia can vary. Some individuals might develop this phobia due to a personal traumatic experience with syphilis, while others may become fearful as a result of witnessing its devastating effects on others or through exposure to information or media about the disease.

   Syphilophobia can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, relationships, and sexual health. It may lead to anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Treatment options for syphilophobia typically involve therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, which aims to help individuals challenge and change their irrational beliefs and fears related to syphilis. Medications like anti-anxiety or antidepressant drugs may also be prescribed in some cases to manage the associated symptoms.

2. A morbid fear of acquiring syphilis through the use of table utensils, towels, etc., or of touching any contaminated object.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for SYPHILOPHOBIA

• ayphilophobia
• zyphilophobia
• xyphilophobia
• dyphilophobia
• eyphilophobia
• wyphilophobia
• stphilophobia
• sgphilophobia
• shphilophobia
• suphilophobia
• s7philophobia
• s6philophobia
• syohilophobia
• sylhilophobia
• sy-hilophobia
• sy0hilophobia
• sypgilophobia
• sypbilophobia
• sypnilophobia
• sypjilophobia

Etymology of SYPHILOPHOBIA

The word "syphilophobia" is derived from the Greek word "syphilis" and the combining form "-phobia".

1. "Syphilis": Syphilis is an infectious sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The term "syphilis" originated from the poem "Syphilis sive Morbus Gallicus" (Syphilis or the Gallic Disease), written by the Italian physician Girolamo Fracastoro in 1530. The poem named the disease after a shepherd named Syphilus, who was believed to be the first person affected by the disease as a punishment from the gods.

2. "-phobia": The suffix "-phobia" is derived from the Greek word "phóbos", which means fear or aversion. It is commonly used to form words denoting specific phobias or irrational fears.

Plural form of SYPHILOPHOBIA is SYPHILOPHOBIAS