The suffix '-itis' typically indicates what type of health condition?

The suffix '-itis' is derived from Greek, where it denotes inflammation. This suffix is commonly used in medical terminology to describe various inflammatory conditions affecting different parts of the body. For example, "arthritis" refers to inflammation of the joints, "dermatitis" denotes inflammation of the skin, and "bursitis" indicates inflammation of a bursa (a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction in joints).

While the term can be closely associated with infections, it specifically highlights the inflammatory aspect, distinguishing it from terms that might indicate a broader category of disease or general conditions. Therefore, recognizing '-itis' as relating to inflammation is crucial for accurately understanding and communicating health conditions that involve inflammatory responses.