Question

Which of the following sets includes the bacterial diseases?
A. Cholera, typhoid, mumps
B. Tetanus, tuberculosis, measles
C. Malaria, mumps, poliomyelitis
D. Diphtheria, leprosy, plague

Answer 1

Hint: Disease can be described as improper functioning of any part of the body that can occur due to a large number of reasons. The causative microorganisms of diseases are called pathogens. Certain diseases are caused by viruses and some are caused by bacteria. It is important to know the causative agent of a particular disease to plan a proper treatment regime. Bacterial diseases can be highly infectious if not intervened.

Complete answer:
Diphtheria is a disease that is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It can spread either through airborne droplets or contaminated items and surfaces. This bacterium affects the nasal and throat area. There is a presence of a thick, grey covering on the throat and tonsils. This is accompanied by a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fever, breathing difficulty, and nasal discharge. Unless treated, it can be fatal.

Caused by Mycobacterium leprae, leprosy (Hansen’s disease) is also a bacterial disease that affects the nerves, the skin, the respiratory tract, and the lining of the nose. This disease leads to muscle weakness, lesions in the skin, and numbness in limbs. Leprosy can spread through contact with an infected person (through mucosal secretions). Delay in treatment can lead to disfigurement, permanent nerve damage, kidney failure, blindness, etc.

Plague is also an infectious bacterial disease caused by Yersinia pestis. This bacterium is found in animals like mice, rats, squirrels, etc. and spreads through their fleas. When a flea (infected from an animal) bites a person, he/she also gets infected with the plague. People infected with plague may develop symptoms similar to the normal flu, however, there are different symptoms for the different types of plague.

Since all these are placed in one option, they form the set of bacterial diseases.
Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Additional information:
Some of the other bacterial diseases are mentioned below:
• Cholera: Cholera is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It spreads through contaminated water.
• Typhoid: This disease is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. It can spread either through contact with an infected person or through contaminated food and water.
• Tetanus: Also known as lockjaw, this disease is caused by the spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The spores are found in soil, dust, and animal faeces.
• Tuberculosis: TB is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria are transmitted from person to person through coughing, sneezing, talking, etc.

Note: All bacteria are not harmful. There are a few bacteria that are a part of the natural environment in a human body and provide certain benefits. For instance, the gastrointestinal tract consists of certain bacteria that facilitate the digestive process. The bacteria that affect us negatively and cause infections are called pathogenic bacteria.