How Do You Spell PHTHIRIUS?

Pronunciation: [fθˈɪɹɪəs] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "phthirius" can be a bit confusing due to its unique combination of letters. According to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the correct pronunciation is [θɪriəs]. The first part of the word is pronounced with a "th" sound, followed by the "i" sound and then the letter "r". The second half of the word features a more standard pronunciation of "us". While it may take some practice to master the spelling and pronunciation of "phthirius", it is an important term used in the medical field to refer to a type of lice infestation.

PHTHIRIUS Meaning and Definition

1. Phthirius, also known as Phthirius pubis or commonly referred to as the pubic louse, is a parasitic insect that infests the pubic hair region of humans. It is a tiny species of lice, measuring around 1 to 2 millimeters in length, and its body is oval-shaped with six legs. Phthirius is highly specialized to infest the coarse hair found in the pubic area and can also occasionally affect other body hair, such as the beard, armpits, and eyelashes.

   These parasitic lice are transmitted through close physical contact, typically during sexual activities, although sharing personal items like clothing, towels, or bedding can also cause infestations. Phthirius is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in crowded or unsanitary conditions.

   The symptoms of a phthirius infestation, known as phthiriasis or pubic lice infestation, include intense itching, redness, and inflammation around the affected area. Nits or eggs of the lice are usually visible as small white dots attached to the pubic hair. Treatment typically involves the use of special medicated shampoos, creams, or lotions that kill the lice and their eggs.

   It is essential to promptly seek treatment and follow proper hygiene practices to prevent the spread of phthirius. Additionally, sexual partners should be informed so that they can be examined and treated if necessary.

   In summary, phthirius is a parasitic insect commonly known as pubic lice that infests the pubic hair region of humans, causing intense itching and requiring specialized treatment to eliminate the infestation.

2. A genus of lice, fam. Pediculidae.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PHTHIRIUS

• ohthirius
• lhthirius
• -hthirius
• 0hthirius
• pgthirius
• pbthirius
• pnthirius
• pjthirius
• puthirius
• pythirius
• phrhirius
• phfhirius
• phghirius
• phyhirius
• ph6hirius
• ph5hirius
• phtgirius
• phtbirius
• phtnirius

Etymology of PHTHIRIUS

The word "phthirius" is derived from the ancient Greek word "phthiriasis", meaning "lousiness". It is a combination of "phthir", which means "louse", and the suffix "-iasis", which denotes a diseased or infested condition.

Similar spelling word for PHTHIRIUS

• phthirus.