Question

Which of the following is an air borne disease?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Malaria
C. Typhoid
D. Cholera

Answer 1

Hint: Air borne diseases are transmitted through air. The causative agents of such diseases can be bacteria, fungi or viruses. Air borne diseases are transmitted through aerosols or droplets. These aerosols or droplets may be released in the air by coughing, sneezing or accumulation of biological wastes. Air borne diseases however, are not transmitted by vectors.

Complete answer:
> Tuberculosis is an air borne disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria are transmitted when an infected person sneezes, coughs, spit or speaks. The infection is generally seen in the lungs and clinical symptoms are fever, chills, fatigue, weight loss and loss of appetite. Early diagnosis can help in controlling the spread of the disease. At present, vaccines are available for the disease and the incidence of tuberculosis has reduced to a great extent.
> Malaria is caused by a parasite of the genus Plasmodium. The disease spreads through a vector. The vector is typically female mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles. When an infected Anopheles bites a person, the parasite is transmitted to the blood of the person. The parasite then travels to the liver and multiplies rapidly. Clinical symptoms are fever, chills, tiredness and vomiting. Malaria can be treated with Quinine, but prevention is advised.
> Typhoid is caused by species of the genus Salmonella. The bacteria have no vectors, but are spread through human beings. The disease is spread through ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacteria. Clinical symptoms include high fever, rashes, vomiting and headaches. Typhoid vaccine is available that can help prevent the disease up to 7 years. However, typhoid can be treated with antibiotics.
> Cholera is caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae. The disease typically spreads through consumption of contaminated water. The symptoms of cholera are diarrhea and loss of huge amounts of water through feces. Loss of water leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Treatment includes restoration of water levels and correction of the electrolyte imbalance by giving salt and sugar water solutions. However, incidence of cholera has reduced over the years drastically.
Therefore, it can be concluded that Tuberculosis is an air borne disease.

Hence, option (A) is correct.

Note: Air borne diseases are transmitted from an infected person through aerosols or droplets. The droplets are released in the form of coughing or sneezing. However, climatic factors like temperature, rainfall or humidity are also known to affect the transmission of diseases that spread through air. The diseases can be prevented through specific immunization and by maintaining distance from suspected patients.