How to Pronounce Varicella Pneumonia
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Varicella Pneumonia Pronunciation
var-ih-SEL-ah nyoo-MOH-nyah
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
var
ih
SEL
stress here
ah nyoo
MOH
stress here
nyah
6 syllables
What is Varicella Pneumonia?
A potentially serious lung complication of chickenpox (varicella) infection, occurring more commonly in adults and immunocompromised individuals than in children, in whom the primary infection is typically mild. The varicella-zoster virus infects lung tissue causing pneumonitis that can range from mild to requiring mechanical ventilation; antiviral treatment with acyclovir is indicated.
Questions About Varicella Pneumonia
How do you pronounce 'varicella pneumonia'?
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Say it like this: var-ih-SEL-ah nyoo-MOH-nyah. The first word rhymes with 'Cinderella,' and the second word sounds like 'new-MOAN-yuh.' The stress falls on the second syllable of 'varicella' and the second syllable of 'pneumonia.'
What is the stressed syllable in 'varicella pneumonia'?
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In 'varicella,' the stress is on SEL (the middle syllable), so it sounds like var-ih-SEL-ah. In 'pneumonia,' the stress is on MOH (the middle syllable), so it sounds like nyoo-MOH-nyah. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable of pneumonia—remember the 'p' is silent, and the stress comes in the middle.
How do you break 'varicella pneumonia' into syllables?
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Varicella breaks into four syllables: var-i-cel-la. Pneumonia breaks into four syllables: pneu-mo-ni-a (remember the 'p' is silent, so it sounds like neu-mo-ni-a). Together, the term has eight syllables total.
What does 'varicella' mean in plain English?
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Varicella is the medical name for chickenpox, the common viral infection that causes a spotty rash. When you hear doctors say 'varicella,' they're simply using the formal medical term instead of the everyday word.
What do the word parts 'varicella' and 'pneumonia' mean separately?
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Varicella comes from a Latin word meaning 'little pustule' or 'small blister.' Pneumonia comes from the Greek word 'pneumon,' which means 'lung,' plus the suffix '-ia' meaning 'condition of.' So pneumonia literally means 'a lung condition.'
What is a short way to say 'varicella pneumonia'?
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Doctors sometimes abbreviate it as VP, but you may also hear the full term used. The abbreviation is pronounced by saying the letters: V-P.
What other words share the root 'pneumo-' with pneumonia?
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Words like pneumothorax (a collapsed lung), pneumococcus (a type of bacteria), and pneumatic (relating to air or gas) all share the Greek root 'pneumo-' meaning 'lung' or 'air.' Recognizing this root can help you understand these related medical terms.
How would you use 'varicella pneumonia' in a sentence?
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Here's an example: 'The doctor explained that varicella pneumonia is a complication that can develop when chickenpox spreads to the lungs.' This sentence shows how the term is used when discussing the medical condition.