paratyphoid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “paratyphoid” mean?
An acute infectious bacterial disease similar to but milder than typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella paratyphi.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An acute infectious bacterial disease similar to but milder than typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella paratyphi.
In extended or colloquial usage, it can refer to something that is similar to but less severe than its counterpart (e.g., a 'paratyphoid' situation might imply a serious but not the most critical version of a problem).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Both use the same technical term.
Connotations
Purely medical, with no cultural or regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse in both varieties. Usage is confined to medical professionals, historical texts, or public health contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “paratyphoid” in a Sentence
the N of paratyphoidparatyphoid caused by Salmonelladiagnosed with paratyphoidVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “paratyphoid” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The patient was diagnosed with a paratyphoid infection.
American English
- They identified the strain as paratyphoid Salmonella.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Used exclusively in medical, epidemiological, historical, or public health research and literature.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary domain of use. Appears in clinical diagnoses, medical textbooks, and scientific papers on infectious diseases.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “paratyphoid”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “paratyphoid”
- Misspelling as 'paratiphoid' or 'paratyphiod'.
- Using it in non-medical contexts where 'milder form' or 'similar but less severe' would be more appropriate and understandable.
- Confusing it with 'typhus', which is a different disease.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are similar but distinct diseases caused by different types of Salmonella bacteria. Paratyphoid is generally milder than typhoid.
There are vaccines that offer some protection against paratyphoid fever, often combined with typhoid vaccines, but they are not 100% effective. Prevention through food and water hygiene is crucial.
It is rare in developed countries with modern sanitation but can still occur in areas with poor hygiene and limited access to clean water.
It is treated with antibiotics, but antibiotic-resistant strains are a growing concern, making treatment more challenging.
An acute infectious bacterial disease similar to but milder than typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella paratyphi.
Paratyphoid is usually technical/medical in register.
Paratyphoid: in British English it is pronounced /ˌparəˈtʌɪfɔɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌperəˈtaɪfɔɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PARA' meaning 'beside' or 'similar to' (like 'parallel') and 'TYPHOID'. So, paratyphoid is the disease that runs alongside/parallel to typhoid.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LESSER TWIN / A PALE SHADOW (of typhoid fever).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'paratyphoid' most appropriately used?