typhus

American  

[tahy-fuhs] / ˈtaɪ fəs /

noun

Pathology.

1. an acute, infectious disease caused by several species of Rickettsia, transmitted by lice and fleas, and characterized by acute prostration, headache, and a peculiar eruption of reddish spots on the body.

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typhus British  

/ ˈtaɪfəs /

noun

1. Also called: typhus fever.  any one of a group of acute infectious rickettsial diseases characterized by high fever, skin rash, and severe headache

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typhus Scientific  

/ tī′fəs /

1. Any of several forms of an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Rickettsia transmitted by fleas, mites, or especially lice, and characterized by severe headache, high fever, and skin rash. Louse-born bacteria that cause typhus are especially virulent and can cause epidemics of the disease, which may be fatal in people with weakened immune systems.

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typhus Cultural  

1. A group of acute and contagious diseases, often fatal, marked by severe headaches and high fever. Typhus is transmitted to humans by fleas, lice, or mites that are infected with the microorganism that causes the disease.

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Other Word Forms

• typhous adjective

Etymology

Origin of typhus

1635–45; < New Latin < Greek tŷphos vapor

Example Sentences

The Los Angeles County Public Health Department identified 220 cases of flea-borne typhus last year, a stark increase over the 187 cases in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Of the total number of cases in 2025, nearly 9 out of 10 people infected with typhus required hospitalization, according to public health officials.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Like Donne, we can mine wisdom from the frailty of our mortal bodies—but be grateful that when the bell tolls for thee, plague, smallpox and typhus won’t be to blame.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Pet owners, beware: Flea-borne typhus is on the rise in parts of Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025

Because no one else has come down with typhus.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron