Clinical Diagnosis · Immune System · Hard
Leptospirosis
Meaning: A bacterial infection spread by water contaminated with animal urine, ranging from flu-like illness to kidney and liver failure.
In practice: The canoeist developed fever and jaundice after falling into a rat-infested river, suggesting leptospirosis.
Word parts
- -osis means an abnormal condition or process
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually from infection, causing vomiting and diarrhoea.
Answer: Gastroenteritis
Which word means: A group of rare inherited disorders of haem production, causing abdominal pain, skin sensitivity or neurological symptoms.
Answer: Porphyria
Words like leptospirosis come up in the daily game
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