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Definition of Pontiac fever in English:

Pontiac fever

Pronunciation /ˈpän(t)ēˌak ˈfēvər/ /ˈpɑn(t)iˌæk ˈfivər/

noun

Medicine

  • A mild systemic disease with symptoms resembling influenza, probably caused by a legionella infection.

    ‘This is a flu-like illness is known as Pontiac fever.’
    • ‘The bacteria causes both the mild Pontiac fever and the more serious Legionnaires Disease.’
    • ‘Some people who come into contact with the bacteria will develop the less serious Pontiac fever, which causes a flu-like illness, which only lasts for a few days.’

Origin

1970s named after Pontiac, Michigan, US, where the first major outbreak was recorded.