What does psittacosis mean?
Psittacosis is an infectious disease associated with birds, especially parrots, and can also affect humans. The bacterium Chlamydia psittaci is usually acquired by inhaling contaminated dust, dried secretions, or other material from infected birds; the illness often resembles influenza or pneumonia. It is commonly called parrot fever, although other infected bird species can transmit it. In veterinary contexts, psittacosis may refer to the infection itself in a flock or individual bird. Human cases are relatively uncommon, and person-to-person transmission is not a usual route of spread. The word is important in medicine, veterinary care, public health, and advice about cleaning cages and handling birds. Recognizing the connection between respiratory illness and recent exposure to birds can help prompt appropriate medical evaluation.
nounAn infectious disease of birds, especially parrots and other psittacine birds, that can be transmitted to humans. In people, psittacosis is primarily a respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci.
- An infectious disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci, transmitted from infected birds, especially parrots, to humans.
- The corresponding disease in birds, particularly parrots and other psittacine birds.
"A veterinarian warned the owners that their parrots had tested positive for psittacosis."
"The patient was diagnosed with psittacosis after handling an infected cockatiel."
"Bird breeders should take steps to prevent psittacosis from spreading through a flock."
The standard plural is rarely needed, since psittacosis is normally used in the singular or as an uncountable disease name.
"Cases of psittacoses were reported among workers exposed to infected birds."
Known as parrot fever, psittacosis can travel from a seemingly healthy bird to a person, making hygiene around pet and wild birds especially important.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does psittacosis come from?
The word comes from Greek psittakos, meaning “parrot,” combined with the suffix -osis, used in medical terminology for disease or abnormal condition. The name reflects the historically recognized association between the illness and infected parrots. The same Greek root appears in psittacine, referring to parrots and related birds, and in Psittaciformes, the order that includes parrots.
How psittacosis is actually used
In human medicine, the term usually refers to the infection acquired from birds. The disease is generally uncommon in people and is not typically passed directly from human to human.
Easily confused with psittacosis
Psittacosis is an infectious disease associated with birds, whereas psittacism is a speech disorder characterized by involuntary repetition of words or sounds.
Psittacosis names a disease, while psittacine is an adjective referring to parrots and related birds.