NEET-PG 2013 - Community Medicine Practice Questions

Q: Infectivity period of chickenpox is ?

1 day before and 4 days after appearance of rash. ***1 day before and 4 days after appearance of rash*** - The infectivity period of **chickenpox (varicella)** begins approximately **1-2 days (24-48 hours) before the rash appears**. - It extends until **all lesions have crusted over**, which typically occurs around **5-6 days after rash onset**, though some sources cite **4-5 days**. - This option represents the **commonly accepted timeframe** taught in Indian medical curricula and NEET PG examinations. *4 days before and 5 days after appearance of rash* - The **pre-rash infectivity period is too long** in this option; chickenpox is infectious for only **1-2 days before rash**, not 4 days. - While the "5 days after" is medically accurate, the incorrect pre-rash duration makes this option wrong. *Only when scab falls* - This statement is **incorrect**; infectivity starts much earlier, **1-2 days before the rash appears**. - By the time scabs fall, the person is **no longer infectious**, as crusted lesions contain non-infectious material. - This option ignores the critical **pre-rash and early rash infectious period**. *Entire incubation period* - The **incubation period** for chickenpox is usually **10-21 days**, during which the individual is **not infectious** for most of this time. - Infectivity begins only in the **last 1-2 days of incubation** (just before rash onset) and continues into the eruptive phase, not for the entire duration.

Q: Which of the following best defines the concept of 'Quality of Life'?

Subjective feeling of well being. ***Subjective feeling of well being*** - **Quality of Life** is primarily a **subjective measure**, reflecting an individual's personal perception of their well-being and satisfaction with various aspects of their life. - It encompasses physical health, psychological state, social relationships, personal beliefs, and their relationship to their environment. *Standard of living* - **Standard of living** typically refers to the degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community. - This is an **objective, economic measure** and does not fully capture the subjective, multi-dimensional aspects of well-being. *Level of living* - The **level of living** is closely related to the standard of living, focusing on the actual conditions of life experienced by individuals, often in terms of material possessions, housing, and access to services. - Like standard of living, it is more about **objective and measurable aspects** of life rather than subjective feelings. *None of the above* - This option is incorrect because "Subjective feeling of well being" accurately defines **Quality of Life**. - **Quality of Life** is a complex, multi-faceted concept that integrates both objective and subjective factors, with the subjective feeling of well-being being central to its definition.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a criterion for defining a polio epidemic?

Cases occurring during a 6 month period. ***Correct: Cases occurring during a 6 month period*** - The definition of a polio epidemic primarily focuses on criteria like the number of cases, their geographical proximity, and the viral serotype causing the infection, not a specific duration of time over which cases occur. - While an outbreak naturally unfolds over a period, a fixed 6-month window is **not a formal defining criterion** for an epidemic, which typically emphasizes a sudden, significant increase above expected levels. *Incorrect: 2 or more cases* - An epidemic is generally defined by an **unusual increase in disease incidence**, and even two confirmed cases, especially in areas with low endemicity or where polio is eradicated, can signal an outbreak. - The presence of **two or more paralytic polio cases** within a specific area is often considered a critical threshold for declaring an epidemic, particularly for **wild poliovirus**. *Incorrect: Cases should occur in same locality* - For an epidemic to be declared, the cases must be **geographically linked** to indicate a common source or local transmission. - Cases spread across different, unconnected regions would suggest **sporadic occurrences** rather than a localized epidemic. *Incorrect: Caused by same virus type* - An epidemic implies a **common etiologic agent**, meaning the cases should be linked to the same serotype of **poliovirus** (e.g., wild poliovirus type 1). - If cases are caused by different serotypes, it indicates **multiple independent introductions** rather than a single epidemic outbreak.

Q: In typhoid, a person is considered a permanent carrier if they excrete bacilli for more than how many months?

1 year. **1 year** - A person is defined as a permanent carrier of typhoid if they excrete **Salmonella Typhi** in their feces or urine for **more than one year** after the acute illness. - This long-term excretion is often associated with chronic infection of the **gallbladder**, particularly in individuals with gallstones. - The definition of chronic/permanent carrier status is set at **≥12 months** of continuous bacillary excretion. *3 months* - Excreting bacilli for 3 months after acute typhoid is considered a **convalescent carrier state**, not a permanent one. - Many individuals clear the infection within this timeframe without becoming chronic carriers. *6 months* - While prolonged, 6 months of excretion still falls under the definition of a **convalescent or temporary carrier**, rather than a permanent carrier. - The threshold for "permanent" or "chronic" carrier status is typically set at 12 months. *3 years* - While a person excreting bacilli for 3 years would certainly be a permanent carrier, the established definition for permanent carrier status is met at **1 year**, not 3 years. - This option represents an unnecessarily longer duration than the standard definition.

Q: Malaria is transmitted in Rural areas by?

Anopheles culicifacies. ***Anopheles culicifacies*** - **_Anopheles culicifacies_** is the **primary vector of malaria in rural areas of India** and is also found in Southeast Asia. - Its breeding habitats often include **rice fields, irrigation channels, and temporary water collections** common in rural agricultural settings. - It accounts for a major proportion of rural malaria transmission in the Indian subcontinent. *Anopheles stephensi* - **_Anopheles stephensi_** is a significant malaria vector primarily found in **urban and semi-urban areas**, including parts of the Middle East, India, and Iran. - Its preferred breeding sites are **artificial containers found in urban environments**, such as water storage tanks, overhead tanks, and cisterns. *Anopheles dirus* - **_Anopheles dirus_** is a dominant malaria vector in **forested and hilly regions of Southeast Asia**, often associated with forest malaria. - It's known for outdoor feeding behavior and maintaining transmission in relatively undisturbed natural environments. *None of the options* - This option is incorrect because **_Anopheles culicifacies_** is a well-established and significant vector for malaria in rural areas of India. - Identification of a specific primary vector for rural transmission makes this choice invalid.

Q: What is the most common Anopheles mosquito responsible for malaria in India?

Anopheles culicifacies. ***Anopheles culicifacies*** - This species is the **most common and primary malaria vector in India**, responsible for approximately 60-70% of all malaria transmission in the country. - It is the **major rural vector** of malaria, especially in agricultural areas, and transmits both *Plasmodium vivax* and *P. falciparum*. - Given that the majority of India's population resides in rural areas where malaria burden is highest, *A. culicifacies* is the most important vector overall. *Anopheles stephensi* - This species is recognized as the **primary urban vector** of malaria in India, particularly for *P. vivax* and *P. falciparum*. - Its ability to breed in artificial containers makes it well-adapted to urban environments, but it accounts for a smaller proportion of total malaria cases compared to *A. culicifacies*. *Anopheles fluviatilis* - This species is an **important vector in hilly and forest areas** of India, rather than being the most common overall. - It is known to transmit both *P. vivax* and *P. falciparum* in these specific ecological niches. *Anopheles subpictus* - While present in India, *A. subpictus* is generally considered a **poor vector** of malaria due to its low susceptibility to Plasmodium infection. - It mainly breeds in diverse habitats including paddy fields and brackish water.

Q: Which indicator best measures the operational efficiency of a malaria control programme?

Annual blood examination rate. ***Annual blood examination rate*** - The **Annual Blood Examination Rate (ABER)** directly reflects the proportion of the population that has been tested for malaria, indicating the reach and effectiveness of surveillance activities. - A high ABER suggests that active case detection and diagnosis are being effectively implemented, which is crucial for operational efficiency in identifying and managing cases. *Infant parasite rate* - The **infant parasite rate** measures the prevalence of malaria infection among infants, serving as an indicator of recent transmission intensity. - While important for assessing disease burden and transmission, it doesn't directly measure the operational effectiveness of interventions like testing or treatment programs. *Slide positivity rate* - The **slide positivity rate (SPR)** is the proportion of positive malaria slides among all slides examined, indicating the likelihood of an individual seeking testing to actually have malaria. - While SPR helps understand disease activity among tested individuals, it doesn't reflect the full operational reach of a program in the general population or the overall testing effort. *Mosquito bite rate* - The **mosquito bite rate** measures the number of mosquito bites per person per night, indicating the level of human exposure to malaria vectors. - This is an entomological indicator of transmission risk and the impact of vector control, but it does not directly assess the operational efficiency of human-centric interventions like diagnosis and treatment programs.

Q: Dukoral is:

Oral cholera vaccine. ***Oral cholera vaccine*** - Dukoral is a **killed oral whole-cell vaccine** against *Vibrio cholerae* O1 and O139, often combined with a recombinant B subunit of cholera toxin. - It provides protection against **cholera**, an acute diarrheal illness caused by bacterial infection of the small intestine. *Oral rotavirus vaccine* - Oral rotavirus vaccines (e.g., Rotarix, RotaTeq) provide protection against **rotavirus**, the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children. - These vaccines are usually given in multiple doses to infants and are distinct from cholera vaccines. *Oral typhoid vaccine* - An oral typhoid vaccine, such as Ty21a, is used for the prevention of **typhoid fever**, caused by *Salmonella Typhi*. - It is a **live attenuated vaccine** administered in several doses over a week, differing significantly from Dukoral's mechanism and target. *Ready to use therapeutic food* - **Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF)** is a high-energy, micronutrient-rich paste used for the treatment of **severe acute malnutrition (SAM)**, especially in children. - It is a nutritional intervention, not a vaccine, and helps in weight gain and recovery for malnourished individuals.

Q: All of the following are anthropozoonosis except

Schistosomiasis. ***Schistosomiasis*** - This is a **human-to-human** disease, even though it involves an intermediate **snail host**. - Its life cycle does not involve transmission of pathogens from vertebrate animals to humans. *Rabies* - Rabies is a classic **anthropozoonosis**, transmitted to humans primarily through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly **dogs** and **bats**. - It involves a pathogen (rabies virus) that cycles between animals and can be transmitted to humans. *Plague* - Plague is an **anthropozoonosis** caused by *Yersinia pestis*, typically transmitted from **rodents** (e.g., rats) to humans via flea bites. - The disease maintains a natural reservoir in wild rodent populations, making it a prime example of animal-to-human transmission. *Anthrax* - Anthrax is an **anthropozoonosis** caused by *Bacillus anthracis*, transmitted to humans from infected **livestock** (e.g., cattle, sheep). - Humans usually acquire the infection through contact with infected animals or their products, or by inhaling spores.

Question 1

Infectivity period of chickenpox is ?

Accepted Answer

1 day before and 4 days after appearance of rash

Answer

Only when scab falls

Answer

Entire incubation period

Answer

4 days before and 5 days after appearance of rash

Question 2

Which of the following best defines the concept of 'Quality of Life'?

Accepted Answer

Subjective feeling of well being

Answer

Standard of living

Answer

Level of living

Answer

None of the above

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a criterion for defining a polio epidemic?

Accepted Answer

Cases occurring during a 6 month period

Answer

Caused by same virus type

Answer

Cases should occur in same locality

Answer

2 or more cases

Question 4

In typhoid, a person is considered a permanent carrier if they excrete bacilli for more than how many months?

Accepted Answer

1 year

Answer

3 months

Answer

6 months

Answer

3 years

Question 5

Malaria is transmitted in Rural areas by?

Accepted Answer

Anopheles culicifacies

Answer

Anopheles stephensi

Answer

Anopheles dirus

Answer

None of the options

Question 6

What is the most common Anopheles mosquito responsible for malaria in India?

Accepted Answer

Anopheles culicifacies

Answer

Anopheles stephensi

Answer

Anopheles subpictus

Answer

Anopheles fluviatilis

Question 7

Which indicator best measures the operational efficiency of a malaria control programme?

Accepted Answer

Annual blood examination rate

Answer

Infant parasite rate

Answer

Slide positivity rate

Answer

Mosquito bite rate

Question 8

All are features of yellow fever except?

Accepted Answer

Validity of vaccination begins immediately after vaccination

Answer

Caused by vector aedes

Answer

IP 3-6 days

Answer

1 attack gives life long immunity

Question 9

Dukoral is:

Accepted Answer

Oral cholera vaccine

Answer

Oral rotavirus vaccine

Answer

Oral typhoid vaccine

Answer

Ready to use therapeutic food

Question 10

All of the following are anthropozoonosis except

Accepted Answer

Schistosomiasis

Answer

Rabies

Answer

Plague

Answer

Anthrax

NEET-PG 2013 — Community Medicine