What is Psittacosis commonly known as?

Psittacosis is commonly known as Ornithosis, which reflects its association with birds, particularly parrots and other psittacine species. This term derives from the Greek word "ornithos," meaning "bird," and is used clinically to describe the disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, which can infect humans through inhalation of respiratory secretions or dust from bird droppings. Psittacosis presents flu-like symptoms and can lead to more severe respiratory issues if not treated.

The other options refer to very different diseases. Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, typically associated with exposure to bird or bat droppings but is not synonymous with psittacosis. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is often linked to cats and contaminated food or water. Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, distinctly unrelated to bird diseases. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in distinguishing psittacosis from other infectious diseases.