typhoid

Everyday

Typhoid is a serious illness caused by bacteria, caught from dirty water or food, which gives a high fever, stomach pain and weakness. tree →

In the lessons

In science and history lessons it shows why clean water, sewers and handwashing matter: in the past typhoid killed many people in crowded cities. Today it is treated with antibiotics and prevented with vaccines, which travellers sometimes get. Phrases: «typhoid fever», «a typhoid vaccine», «Typhoid Mary».

Examples

• Typhoid spreads through dirty water and food. tree →
• Before travelling, Aunt Jo had a typhoid vaccine. tree →
• Clean drinking water stopped typhoid in many cities. tree →
• Typhoid gives people a very high fever. tree →
• Doctors treat typhoid with antibiotics. tree →
• Washing your hands helps stop typhoid spreading. tree →
• In Victorian times many children died of typhoid. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «he had typhoid», not «a typhoid». Do not confuse with «typhus», a different disease spread by lice, or with a «typhoon», a storm. «Typhoid Mary» was a cook who spread the disease without feeling ill.