A dangerous infectious disease spread by lice or other parasites, causing fever, weakness, and often rashes, especially common in crowded, unsanitary conditions.
From Greek 'typhos' meaning 'smoke' or 'fever,' referring to the delirious, smoky confusion of the disease. The disease has devastated armies and cities throughout history, particularly in wartime.
Typhus killed more soldiers in wars than actual combat did—lice-borne typhus was called 'the general Typhus' because it conquered armies that no human general could defeat!
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