murine typhus

noun

: a mild disease that is marked especially by fever, headache, and rash, is caused by a rickettsia (Rickettsia typhi synonym R. mooseri), is widespread in nature in rodents, and is transmitted to humans by a flea

Examples of murine typhus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What are the symptoms of murine typhus? Claire Gillespie, Health.com, 6 Nov. 2020 Another big difference between murine typhus and COVID-19 is that murine typhus is completely treatable with antibiotics, such as doxycycline. Claire Gillespie, Health.com, 6 Nov. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of murine typhus was in 1933

Dictionary Entries Near murine typhus

Cite this Entry

“Murine typhus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/murine%20typhus. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

murine typhus

noun
: a mild febrile disease that is marked by headache and rash, is caused by a bacterium of the genus Rickettsia (R. typhi), is widespread in nature in rodents, and is transmitted to humans by a flea

called also endemic typhus

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