TYPHOID MARY Meaning and
Definition
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Typhoid Mary refers to a historical figure and a term used to describe a person who unknowingly spreads a contagious disease, particularly typhoid fever. The term specifically refers to Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant living in New York City in the early 20th century.
Mary Mallon was an asymptomatic carrier of the bacteria Salmonella typhi, which causes typhoid fever. While she did not display any signs of the illness, she was capable of transmitting the bacteria to others through her occupation as a cook. Mallon unknowingly infected numerous individuals with typhoid fever, leading to several outbreaks of the disease.
Due to her role in spreading the disease, Mary Mallon became known as "Typhoid Mary." Her case gained attention, and she was eventually quarantined by health officials in a New York hospital for over two decades until her death. This case marked a milestone in public health, highlighting the importance of identifying carriers of infectious diseases, known as asymptomatic carriers, even if they show no apparent symptoms.
The term "Typhoid Mary" has since been used in a broader sense to refer to anyone who, intentionally or unknowingly, spreads a contagious disease while being asymptomatic themselves. It is often used to describe an individual who unwittingly becomes a source of infection or danger to others, suggesting a potential risk or threat associated with their actions or behavior.
Common Misspellings for TYPHOID MARY
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Etymology of TYPHOID MARY
The term "Typhoid Mary" originated from a real-life person named Mary Mallon. In the early 1900s, Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant living in New York City, worked as a cook for several families. Unbeknownst to her, Mary was an asymptomatic carrier of the bacteria that causes typhoid fever. Though she never fell ill from the disease herself, Mary unwittingly spread it to multiple people through her cooking.
After an investigation by health authorities, it was discovered that Mary Mallon was responsible for multiple typhoid outbreaks in the households she worked for. She was subsequently quarantined and kept in isolation for the rest of her life.
The term "Typhoid Mary" became popularized in the media to refer to Mary Mallon and has since been widely used to describe a person who unknowingly spreads disease or trouble to others.
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