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Glite Dictionary
pneumococcus

pneumococcus

1 9.6
A round germ that causes lung infections and other illnesses
  • noun
  • /njuˈmoʊkəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : neumococo
  • And as they show here, pneumococcus can cause some really nasty infections, most notably meningitis and pneumonia, an infection of the air sacs of the lungs.
  • pneumococcus bacteria

Examples

  • However, children are considered the main carriers of pneumococcus and influenza, and the indirect effects of adults’ immunization are not clear.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Meningitis is also caused by viruses and other bacteria, notably Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) and the pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae).

    Academic text (2011)

  • By contrast, there were strains of pneumococcus that were rough.

  • There is a vaccine for pneumococcus that they typically give to old and/or immuno-compromised people at the same time they give the flu vaccine.

    Blog text (4)

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus, causes an estimated 4 million illnesses in the United States annually (1).

    Academic text (2012)

  • Mrs. A should discuss her travel plans with her respiratory consultant (if she is under specialist care) and ensure that all her routine vaccinations for people with chronic respiratory conditions (e.g., pneumococcus) are up to date.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Patients may have impaired immunity (hyposplenism) and should be considered for vaccination against pneumococcus, influenza, and Haemophilus influenzae type B.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) is a leading cause of pneumococcus and can lead to severe respiratory illness.

  • Doctors are concerned about the rise of drug-resistant strains of pneumococcus that complicate treatment options.

  • Vaccination against pneumococcus is recommended to prevent serious infections like pneumonia and meningitis.

Synonyms

Diplococcus pneumoniae
vspneumococcus
  • Archaic
9.6

A bacterium now called Streptococcus pneumoniae that causes pneumonia in people and mice

is the currently used common name rather than the older scientific form
Strep pneumo
vspneumococcus
  • Jargon
5.3

A short name for a germ that causes pneumonia and other lung infections

is the neutral common name rather than an informal abbreviation

Surface Forms

pneumococcus singular
pneumococci plural

Morphology

pneumococcus = coccus (opaque) = pneumo + coccus

Formed from medical combining forms ('pneumo-' + 'coccus') that are unlikely to be known by an average B1 learner, so the meaning is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

The word pneumococcus comes from Greek parts pneumo- meaning 'lung' and -coccus meaning 'berry'. So a pneumococcus is a 'round, berry-like' germ that attacks the lungs, which is why it causes pneumonia.