Question

Which of the following diseases is caused by a virus?
(a) Typhoid
(b) Cholera
(c) Influenza
(d) Diphtheria

Answer 1

Hint: It is an airborne communicable disease which is commonly known as flu and is self-treated and can be curable in 5 to 7 days. Its causative agent uses the host machine and is only able to reproduce inside the host.

Complete answer:
Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by RNA viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family. Through interactions between its hemagglutinin glycoprotein and sialic acid sugars, these viruses bind to the surfaces of epithelial cells in the lungs and the throat.

Additional Information:
1. A disease is a medical condition that is associated with specific symptoms and signs, that are not caused due to an immediate external injury.
2. Viruses can affect all types of life forms, from plants and animals to other microorganisms like bacteria and archaea.
3. Some of the symptoms of influenza include sudden onset of high fever, cough (usually dry), chills, sore throat, nasal congestion, and a runny nose.
4. The Salmonella typhi bacteria causing an acute illness associated with fever is known as Typhoid.
5. Cholera is an infectious disease that causes severe watery diarrhea, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

So, the correct answer is ‘Influenza is caused by a virus’.

Note:
1. There are four types of flu viruses (A, B, C, and D)found, three of which cause seasonal influenza.
2. Diphtheria, caused by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacterium, affects the mucous membranes of the nose and the throat.
3. Two trivalent vaccines influenza A (H1N1) virus and influenza A (H3N2) virus are designed especially for people aged 65 and above to create a stronger immune response.