spotted fever

noun

: any of various eruptive fevers: such as
a
: typhus

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web North American opossums are known to carry leptospirosis, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, spotted fever and tularemia, according to Critter Control. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 7 Nov. 2022 Removing ticks quickly can reduce the risk of catching Lyme Disease or spotted fever rickettsiosis. al, 13 June 2022 The species is more likely than others to carry the pathogen causing Tidewater spotted fever, which could cause a headache, muscle aches and rash, among other things. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 27 July 2021 Other tick-borne diseases include anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, spotted fever rickettsiosis and tularemia. Rachel Trent, CNN, 12 July 2021 Tidewater spotted fever can cause fever, muscle aches, headaches, and a rash. Elyse Kelly, Washington Examiner, 22 Feb. 2021 Cases of Lyme disease, Powassan virus; spotted fever rickettsiosis, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis and tularemia all increased last year. Ashley Welch, CBS News, 14 Nov. 2018 Ticks can also pass on other diseases, including Lyme disease and spotted fever illnesses, although those are rare in San Diego County. San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2019 Those in Prater’s state of Kentucky have been reported to carry spotted fever rickettsiosis, a potentially fatal disease that causes fevers, headaches and muscle aches, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, 17 July 2019 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spotted fever.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spotted fever was in 1623

Dictionary Entries Near spotted fever

Cite this Entry

“Spotted fever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spotted%20fever. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

spotted fever

noun
: any of various diseases (as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus) that are characterized by fever and spots on the skin

Medical Definition

spotted fever

noun
: any of various eruptive fevers: as

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