diphtheria

/dɪfˈθɪəɹɪə/ /dɪfˈθɪɹi.ə/

Meanings

noun

A serious infectious disease which causes inflammation of mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Examples :

"Before vaccines became common, diphtheria was a feared disease, especially among children. "

Related Words

infectious adjective

/ɪnˈfɛkʃəs/

(of an illness) Transmitted from one person to another, usually through the air breathed.

"Cancer is not infectious."

vaccines noun

/ˈvæksiːnz/ /vækˈsiːnz/

A substance given to stimulate the body's production of antibodies and provide immunity against a disease without causing the disease itself in the treatment, prepared from the agent that causes the disease (or a related, also effective, but safer disease), or a synthetic substitute.

"Doctors recommend that children receive vaccines to protect them from serious illnesses. "

corynebacterium noun

/ˌkɔːriˌnaɪbækˈtɪəriəm/ /ˌkɒrɪˌnaɪbækˈtɪəriəm/

Any bacterium, of the genus Corynebacterium, many of which are pathogenic or parasitic.

"A throat culture revealed the presence of corynebacterium, prompting the doctor to prescribe antibiotics to prevent a serious infection. "

serious adjective

/ˈsɪə.ɹi.əs/ /ˈsɪəɹ.i.əs/

Without humor or expression of happiness; grave in manner or disposition

"It was a surprise to see the captain, who had always seemed so serious, laugh so heartily."

inflammation noun

/ɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/

The act of inflaming, kindling, or setting on fire.

"The inflammation of the dry leaves by the bonfire was quite impressive. "

especially adverb

/əˈspɛʃ(ə)li/

(manner) In a special manner; specially.

"My sister is very helpful, especially when it comes to organizing things. "

mucous adjective

/ˈmjuːkəs/

Pertaining to mucus

"The doctor examined the patient's nasal passages for any signs of mucous discharge. "

children noun

[ˈt͡ʃʊld̠ɹ̠ ̝ʷən] [ˈt͡ʃɪl.d̠ɹ̠ ̝ʷən] [tʃɪl.ɹən]

A person who has not yet reached adulthood, whether natural (puberty), cultural (initiation), or legal (majority)

"Go easy on him: he is but a child."

causes noun

/ˈkɑzɪz/ /ˈkɔːzɪz/ /ˈkɔzɪz/

(often with of, typically of adverse results) The source of, or reason for, an event or action; that which produces or effects a result.

"They identified a burst pipe as the cause of the flooding."

respiratory adjective

/ɹɪˈspɪɹət(ə)ɹi/ /ɹɪˈspaɪɹəˌtɔɹi/

Relating to respiration; breathing.

"The child's respiratory rate was unusually high after the intense physical activity. "

disease noun

/dɪˈziːz/ /dɪˈziz/

An abnormal condition of a human, animal or plant that causes discomfort or dysfunction; distinct from injury insofar as the latter is usually instantaneously acquired.

"The tomato plants had some kind of disease that left their leaves splotchy and fruit withered."

membranes noun

/ˈmɛmˌbɹeɪnz/ /ˈmɛmˌbɹeɪns/

A flexible enclosing or separating tissue forming a plane or film and separating two environments (usually in a plant or animal).

"The membranes of our cells allow nutrients in and waste products out. "