Question

Which one of the following is an infectious disease?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Goiter
C. Diabetes
D. Hypertension

Answer 1

Complete answer: Infectious diseases are illnesses or disorders caused by pathogenic organisms such as virus, fungi, bacteria, amoeba, or parasites. These can spread from an infected person to a healthy person, from animal to person, and even through contaminated inanimate objects used by an infected person to a healthy person. It can also spread through contaminated food and water, through insect bite such as dengue, etc. Symptoms of the disease vary depending on the severity of the disease but often is determined after the onset of fever, cold, headache, fatigue, or nausea. Hospitalization is mandatory in case of life-threatening infections.
-Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis affects the lungs and other organs such as kidneys, brain, and bone marrow. Individuals who consume tobacco, abuse alcohol have a higher chance of contracting this disease. Signs and symptoms: fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss, appetite loss. Risk factors of TB: diabetes, malnourishment, smoking habits. Regions with high TB rates: India, Mexico, China, Micronesia, Sub-Saharan Africa. Modes of transmission: Infected droplets in the air from sneezing, coughing, etc. when inhaled by a healthy person. Diagnosis: Blood test, Chest X-ray. Treatment: Combination of drug therapy. It is the use of more than one drug so that the bacteria do not grow resistance towards one drug. The combination of drugs used is Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, and Pyrazinamide.
-Goiter: Goiter is caused due to iodine deficiency. The thyroid gland gets inflamed and abnormally enlarged.
-Diabetes: Also known as diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic disease. It causes elevated sugar levels in the body.
-Hypertension: Hypertension is a condition that causes increased heart workload causing blood pressure to increase. Anti-hypertensive drugs such as diazepam (calcium channel blockers), propranolol (beta-adrenergic blockers), Chlorothiazide (diuretics), captopril, and other vasodilators are used to dilate blood vessels to increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure.
Hence option A is correct.

Note: Edward Jenner was the first-ever English physician and scientist who discovered the vaccine for Smallpox. James Lind determined that scurvy was caused due to vitamin deficiency and can be treated with citrus fruits. Louis Pasteur discovered the anti-rabies vaccine.