Typhoid Mary
Typhoid Mary
Typhoid Mary (pronounced: /ˈtaɪfɔɪd ˈmɛri/) is a term that originated from the historical figure Mary Mallon, who was an asymptomatic carrier of the Typhoid fever bacteria. The term is now used colloquially to refer to anyone who, knowingly or not, spreads a disease or any other negative or harmful thing.
Etymology
The term "Typhoid Mary" is derived from the name of Mary Mallon, an Irish-born cook believed to have infected 51 people with Typhoid fever, three of whom died, and the name of the disease itself. The term is now used to describe a carrier of a contagious disease who spreads the disease without themselves showing any symptoms.
Related Terms
- Asymptomatic carrier: An individual who carries a disease but shows no symptoms. Mary Mallon was an asymptomatic carrier of Typhoid fever.
- Typhoid fever: A highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. Mary Mallon was a carrier of this disease.
- Epidemiology: The study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations. The case of Typhoid Mary is often studied in epidemiology.
- Public health: The science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. The case of Typhoid Mary raised many questions about public health and individual rights.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Typhoid Mary
- Wikipedia's article - Typhoid Mary
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