Communicable Diseases Quiz Questions and Answers

1. Tuberculosis, or TB, is spread through the air by coughing or sneezing, causing tiny droplets that can be breathed in by persons nearby.

True

False

Tuberculosis (TB) is indeed an airborne disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with active pulmonary TB coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings, releasing tiny droplets that contain the bacteria into the air. Individuals nearby can breathe in these droplets and become infected. This mode of transmission makes TB a significant public health concern, especially in crowded environments or where ventilation is poor.

Explanation

Tuberculosis (TB) is indeed an airborne disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. TB spreads through the air when a person with active pulmonary TB coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings, releasing tiny droplets that contain the bacteria into the air. Individuals nearby can breathe in these droplets and become infected. This mode of transmission makes TB a significant public health concern, especially in crowded environments or where ventilation is poor.

2. Hepatitis A is spread through consuming food or water that has been contaminated with infected feces. Hepatitis B and C are spread through blood and bodily fluids.

True

False

Hepatitis A is primarily spread through the fecal-oral route, which involves consuming food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. This mode of transmission typically occurs in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices. Hepatitis B and C, on the other hand, are spread through contact with infected blood and other bodily fluids. Common routes of transmission for Hepatitis B and C include sharing needles, from mother to child during childbirth, and through unprotected sexual contact. These distinctions are important for understanding how to prevent and manage these different types of hepatitis.

Explanation

Hepatitis A is primarily spread through the fecal-oral route, which involves consuming food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person. This mode of transmission typically occurs in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices. Hepatitis B and C, on the other hand, are spread through contact with infected blood and other bodily fluids. Common routes of transmission for Hepatitis B and C include sharing needles, from mother to child during childbirth, and through unprotected sexual contact. These distinctions are important for understanding how to prevent and manage these different types of hepatitis.

3. HIV and AIDS are the same things.

True

False

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) are not the same; HIV is a virus that may cause an infection, while AIDS is a condition. Being infected with HIV can lead to the development of AIDS, which occurs when HIV has caused significant damage to the immune system. Without effective treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS, severely compromising an individual’s immune function and increasing their vulnerability to infections and certain cancers. This distinction is crucial for understanding the progression of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Explanation

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) are not the same; HIV is a virus that may cause an infection, while AIDS is a condition. Being infected with HIV can lead to the development of AIDS, which occurs when HIV has caused significant damage to the immune system. Without effective treatment, HIV can progress to AIDS, severely compromising an individual’s immune function and increasing their vulnerability to infections and certain cancers. This distinction is crucial for understanding the progression of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

4. How is HIV transmitted?

You catch it from toilet seats.

When infected bodily fluids enter the bloodstream of another person

Through touching and kissing

Through sharing needles, unprotected sexual intercourse, an open sore

Both B and D

HIV is transmitted through specific routes where infected bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk, directly enter another person's bloodstream. This can occur through sharing needles, unprotected sexual intercourse, and less commonly, via significant exposure to infected fluids through open sores or wounds. HIV is not transmitted through casual contact such as touching, kissing, or sitting on toilet seats. Understanding the actual transmission routes is essential for effective prevention and dispelling common misconceptions about the virus.

Explanation

HIV is transmitted through specific routes where infected bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk, directly enter another person's bloodstream. This can occur through sharing needles, unprotected sexual intercourse, and less commonly, via significant exposure to infected fluids through open sores or wounds. HIV is not transmitted through casual contact such as touching, kissing, or sitting on toilet seats. Understanding the actual transmission routes is essential for effective prevention and dispelling common misconceptions about the virus.

5. Persons with latent TB pose no threat to others, while persons with active TB should wear a mask when around others.

True

False

Persons with latent TB infection carry the tuberculosis bacteria but do not exhibit symptoms and are not contagious; therefore, they cannot spread the bacteria to others. In contrast, individuals with active TB disease can transmit the bacteria through the air, particularly if it affects their lungs. To reduce the risk of transmission, it is advisable for persons with active TB to wear masks when around others and to follow other public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease. This precaution is essential in managing and controlling the spread of TB.

Explanation

Persons with latent TB infection carry the tuberculosis bacteria but do not exhibit symptoms and are not contagious; therefore, they cannot spread the bacteria to others. In contrast, individuals with active TB disease can transmit the bacteria through the air, particularly if it affects their lungs. To reduce the risk of transmission, it is advisable for persons with active TB to wear masks when around others and to follow other public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease. This precaution is essential in managing and controlling the spread of TB.

6. Anyone with TB, whether latent or active:

Should be treated

Medications are available at no cost.

The full 9 months of treatment must be completed to be effective.

All of the above

None of the above

Treatment is recommended for both latent and active TB, though the approaches differ. For latent TB, treatment aims to prevent the infection from becoming active, which is crucial because not everyone with latent TB will develop active TB. For active TB, treatment is necessary to cure the disease and prevent transmission to others.

Medications for TB are often provided at no cost in many countries through public health programs to ensure that everyone has access to treatment and to control the spread of the disease effectively.

Completing the full course of treatment, which can last up to 9 months or more, is vital for effectively curing active TB and ensuring it does not develop resistance to drugs. Skipping doses or stopping treatment early can lead to drug-resistant strains of TB, making the disease harder to treat.

Explanation

Treatment is recommended for both latent and active TB, though the approaches differ. For latent TB, treatment aims to prevent the infection from becoming active, which is crucial because not everyone with latent TB will develop active TB. For active TB, treatment is necessary to cure the disease and prevent transmission to others.

Medications for TB are often provided at no cost in many countries through public health programs to ensure that everyone has access to treatment and to control the spread of the disease effectively.

Completing the full course of treatment, which can last up to 9 months or more, is vital for effectively curing active TB and ensuring it does not develop resistance to drugs. Skipping doses or stopping treatment early can lead to drug-resistant strains of TB, making the disease harder to treat.

7. Communicable diseases are easily curable.

True

False

Communicable diseases are those that can be transmitted from one person to another, such as influenza, HIV, and tuberculosis. While many communicable diseases can be treated, saying they are "easily curable" is misleading. The ease of curing such diseases depends on various factors including the specific disease, the timeliness of diagnosis, the availability and effectiveness of treatment, and individual patient factors. Some, like certain bacterial infections, may be treated effectively with antibiotics, whereas others, like HIV, require lifelong management and cannot be cured. Each disease requires a specific approach to treatment and management.

Explanation

Communicable diseases are those that can be transmitted from one person to another, such as influenza, HIV, and tuberculosis. While many communicable diseases can be treated, saying they are "easily curable" is misleading. The ease of curing such diseases depends on various factors including the specific disease, the timeliness of diagnosis, the availability and effectiveness of treatment, and individual patient factors. Some, like certain bacterial infections, may be treated effectively with antibiotics, whereas others, like HIV, require lifelong management and cannot be cured. Each disease requires a specific approach to treatment and management.

8. How are staph infections spread?

By coughing and sneezing

Direct contact with an infected sore or contaminated dressing

By having too many staff meetings

By sharing contaminated needles

Staph infections are primarily spread through direct contact with an infected sore or contaminated dressing. This means that if a person comes into contact with the bacteria from an infected sore or contaminated dressing, they can easily contract the infection. Other modes of transmission, such as coughing and sneezing or sharing contaminated needles, are not as common for staph infections. Therefore, the most likely way for staph infections to spread is through direct contact with an infected sore or contaminated dressing.

Explanation

Staph infections are primarily spread through direct contact with an infected sore or contaminated dressing. This means that if a person comes into contact with the bacteria from an infected sore or contaminated dressing, they can easily contract the infection. Other modes of transmission, such as coughing and sneezing or sharing contaminated needles, are not as common for staph infections. Therefore, the most likely way for staph infections to spread is through direct contact with an infected sore or contaminated dressing.

9. What is the most effective way to prevent contracting the HIV virus?

Spray everything with a 10% bleach solution before you touch it.

Always wear a condom.

Never share needles with people you don't know.

Always practice Universal Precautions and good hand washing.

Do not travel to foreign countries.

The most effective way to prevent contracting the HIV virus is by always practicing Universal Precautions and good hand washing. This means taking necessary precautions to minimize the risk of exposure to bodily fluids, such as wearing gloves and using protective barriers when necessary. Additionally, regular and thorough hand washing helps to eliminate any potential transmission of the virus through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

Explanation

The most effective way to prevent contracting the HIV virus is by always practicing Universal Precautions and good hand washing. This means taking necessary precautions to minimize the risk of exposure to bodily fluids, such as wearing gloves and using protective barriers when necessary. Additionally, regular and thorough hand washing helps to eliminate any potential transmission of the virus through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

10. How do I protect myself from Hepatitis?

Universal precautions and good handwashing

Avoid sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes, and similar items.

Clean potentially contaminated surfaces with a 1:10 bleach to water mixture

Both A and B

All of the above

Protecting yourself from hepatitis requires implementing several important measures. Adopting universal precautions involves treating all blood and potentially infectious materials as if they are infectious, which, when combined with thorough handwashing, can significantly lower the risk of hepatitis transmission. It is also vital to avoid sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes, and other similar items that might be contaminated with blood, as both hepatitis B and C can be spread this way. Additionally, cleaning any potentially contaminated surfaces with a mixture of 1:10 bleach to water is effective in deactivating hepatitis viruses, further reducing transmission risks. By diligently following these practices, you can effectively safeguard yourself against various types of hepatitis.

Explanation

Protecting yourself from hepatitis requires implementing several important measures. Adopting universal precautions involves treating all blood and potentially infectious materials as if they are infectious, which, when combined with thorough handwashing, can significantly lower the risk of hepatitis transmission. It is also vital to avoid sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes, and other similar items that might be contaminated with blood, as both hepatitis B and C can be spread this way. Additionally, cleaning any potentially contaminated surfaces with a mixture of 1:10 bleach to water is effective in deactivating hepatitis viruses, further reducing transmission risks. By diligently following these practices, you can effectively safeguard yourself against various types of hepatitis.

Communicable Diseases Quiz Questions And Answers