Plural form of catarrh; multiple instances or types of the condition involving excessive mucus production in the respiratory passages.
The plural of catarrh, from Greek 'kata' (down) + 'rhein' (to flow). The 's' ending indicates multiple occurrences of this inflammatory condition.
In medieval and Renaissance medical texts, 'catarrhs' were blamed for everything from bad breath to madness—doctors had no idea these were often caused by simple viral infections we now treat with rest.
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