diphtheria Hear it!

diphtheria Definition

diph·theria (dif t̸hirē ə, dip-)

noun

an acute infectious disease caused by a bacterium (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) and characterized by weakness, high fever, the formation in the air passages of a tough, membranelike obstruction to breathing, and the production of a potent neurotoxin

Etymology: ModL < Fr diphtherie (so named (1855) by A. Trousseau (1801-67), Fr physician, replacing earlier diphthérite, first used (1821) by P. Bretonneau (1778-1862), Fr physician) < Gr diphthera, leather < dephein, to tan hides < IE base *deph-, to knead, stamp > Arm topʼel, to strike

diphtheria Related Forms

diph·theri·al adjective

diphtheria Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • have: A: No, but one of my children in the First World War had diphtheria and she was taken to isolation hospital.
  • cause: A year later Friedrich Loffler isolated and grew it, proving that it caused diphtheria by injecting it into various animals.
  • prevent: The vaccine is designed to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and polio.
  • catch: Anyone catching diphtheria will be hospitalized immediately and will probably be put on a respirator to help them breathe.

Adjective modifier

  • cutaneous: The most common form of non-respiratory diphtheria is cutaneous diphtheria; other forms include conjunctival, otic and genital lesions.
  • e.g.: And health was also not improved e.g. diphtheria and scarlet fever increased.
  • low: Between 13-18 years Tetanus, low dose diphtheria and inactivated poliomyelitis boosters ( Td/IPV ).
  • respiratory: The case fatality ratio for respiratory diphtheria is 5-10 % .

Modifies a noun

  • toxoid: These pediatric formulations have the same amount of tetanus toxoid as adult formulations, but contain between three and four times more diphtheria toxoid.
  • toxin: Once inside a cell the diphtheria toxin interferes with protein synthesis which ultimately kills the cancer cell.
  • vaccine: The baby was taken to his local surgery to receive a routine diphtheria vaccine.
  • epidemic: In 1942 a diphtheria epidemic claimed the lives of fifty soldiers.
  • immunization: The mass diphtheria immunization campaign - resulting from medical research involving animals - then began.
  • vaccination: If you plan to travel abroad, many places recommend reinforcing protection with a new diphtheria vaccination every 10 years.

Noun used with modifier

  • dose: The Committee was informed that the Department was having increasing difficulty in getting supplies of single low dose diphtheria vaccine.
  • calf: This document describes what causes calf diphtheria, clinical signs and symptoms, diagnosis, available treatments, and prevention and control measures.

Browse dictionary entries near diphtheria

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