5 Diseases Named After Places You Didn’t Know Existed
When we hear about certain diseases, their name often hints toward the cause, region, or predominant symptoms. However, some of them are named after unexpected places. These are places that may not be immediately associated with a specific disease, but have a unique history and story behind how they became etched in medical terminology. In this article, we take a closer look at 5 diseases named after places you didn’t know existed.
1. Cat Scratch Disease
Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) is caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae. It is transmitted to humans through the bite or scratch of infected cats. The disease is usually self-limiting and recovery occurs within a few weeks without any specific treatment.
CSD first caught medical attention in the 1950s when a doctor in Arkansas noticed that a lot of his patients had been scratched by cats before presenting with swollen lymph nodes. However, the name “cat scratch disease” only caught on after a study was conducted in the early 1980s, where the researchers were able to isolate the specific bacterium responsible for the illness.
2. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
MERS is a viral respiratory illness caused by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, which can progress to pneumonia.
The disease was first identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012 but has since spread to other countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. The name “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome” was ascribed to it because the virus was first identified in the Arabian Peninsula.
3. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
The Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. Symptoms include fever, headache, and rash. If not treated promptly, RMSF can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure and neurological issues.
RMSF was first identified in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States in the 1890s, but contrary to what the name suggests, the disease is not confined to this region. In fact, today, it is most prevalent in the southeastern states.
4. Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is usually transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. Early symptoms of Lyme Disease include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.
Lyme Disease was first identified in 1975 when a group of children in Lyme, Connecticut, developed similar symptoms of arthritis. The disease has since been reported in every continent except Antarctica and is considered a significant public health concern.
5. Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. Symptoms of the disease include cough, fever, and shortness of breath, which can develop into severe lung infection leading to death.
The name Legionnaires’ Disease was coined in 1976 when an outbreak of the disease occurred among attendees of the American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Though the source of the outbreak was eventually traced to a hotel air conditioning system, the name “Legionnaires” stuck.
Conclusion
The names of these diseases may not be as obvious as others, but they are indicative of the stories and history behind how they were identified and the illnesses they represent. Understanding these names and their origins offers insight into the human experience with disease and how it has shaped the way we understand and treat them.
