Parrot fever (psittacosis)

Parrot fever (psittacosis)
An infectious disease due to a bacteria (Chlamydia psittaci) contracted from psittacine birds, especially caged birds like parrots, parakeets, and lovebirds and also in turkey processing plants. The bacteria enter the human body by inhalation of air that contains it or by a bite from an infected bird. The incubation period is 1 to 3 weeks after exposure to the onset of symptoms. The signs and symptoms of the disease include fever and chills. ill feeling (malaise), loss of appetite, cough and shortness of breath. The diagnosis is made by recovering the bacteria in the laboratory from the patient's blood or sputum. Treatment includes an antibiotic such as tetracycline. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, the disease is usually over in a week or two. To avoid the disease, avoid dust from bird feathers and cage contents and do not handle a sick bird. The name psittacosis comes from the Greek "psittakos" meaning parrot.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • parrot fever — n. PSITTACOSIS …   English World dictionary

  • parrot fever — noun An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci and contracted from birds such as parrots, pigeons, sparrows, ducks, and many other species of bird. Syn: ornithosis, parrot disease, psittacosis …   Wiktionary

  • Psittacosis (parrot fever) — An infectious disease due to a bacteria (Chlamydia psittaci) contracted from psittacine birds, especially caged birds like parrots, parakeets, and lovebirds and also in turkey processing plants. The bacteria enter the human body by inhalation of… …   Medical dictionary

  • parrot fever — par·rot fever par ət n PSITTACOSIS * * * psittacosis …   Medical dictionary

  • parrot fever — Pathol. psittacosis. Also called parrot disease. [1950 55] * * * …   Universalium

  • parrot fever — /ˈpærət fivə/ (say paruht feevuh) noun → psittacosis. Also, parrot disease …  

  • parrot fever — noun Date: 1930 psittacosis …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • parrot fever — par′rot fe ver n. pat psittacosis • Etymology: 1950–55 …   From formal English to slang

  • parrot fever — noun an atypical pneumonia caused by a rickettsia microorganism and transmitted to humans from infected birds • Syn: ↑psittacosis, ↑ornithosis • Hypernyms: ↑atypical pneumonia, ↑primary atypical pneumonia, ↑mycoplasmal pneumonia …   Useful english dictionary

  • parrot disease — noun infectious disease of birds • Syn: ↑psittacosis • Hypernyms: ↑animal disease * * * noun or parrot fever : psittacosis * * * …   Useful english dictionary

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