Chapter 7 Self-test questions

. Why are infectious diseases spread more easily around the world in modern times than ever before in history?

Global travel and transport have become easier, quicker, and cheaper.

People have become less immune to infectious diseases due to improved living conditions.

Human beings are living longer, allowing them to transmit more infectious diseases during their lives.

Global health surveillance programmes are ineffective.

. How many people were estimated to have been killed by the 2002-4 outbreak of the SARS virus?

526

664

774

1045

. What was the suspected reservoir for the SARS virus?

Pigs.

Bats.

Frogs.

Mosquitoes.

. Why do deaths from influenza in the UK tend to peak in the winter?

The virus survives better in cold environments.

Winter conditions mean that at-risk groups are more vulnerable due to cold weather and a stretched health service.

Vaccinations against influenza are only available for the summer months.

People from tropical regions visit the UK in the winter, bringing the virus with them.

. How many people were estimated to have been infected during the 2013/14 ebolavirus outbreak, and how many were estimated to have died?

Over 24,000, with over 12,000 deaths.

Over 26,000, with over 15,000 deaths.

Over 28,000, with over 20,000 deaths.

Over 28,000, with over 11,000 deaths.

. How long does a female Guinea worm take to incubate her eggs inside her human host?

6 weeks

6 months

12 weeks

12 months

. What kind of transmission is said to have occurred when a mother passes Toxoplasma gondii to her unborn baby?

Horizontal transmission.

Vertical transmission.

Post-natal transmission.

Maternal transmission.

. What is intrinsic resistance?

Bacteria developing resistance to an antibiotic.

Bacteria already having resistance to an antibiotic because of overuse of antibiotics.

Bacteria with characteristics making them naturally resistant to antibiotics.

Bacteria having no resistance to antibiotics at all.

. Which of the following is likely to be most effective in reducing the worldwide overuse of antibiotics?

Reduced prescribing (through antibiotic stewardship) and improved diagnostics (through techniques like whole genome sequencing).

Not treating some bacterial infections, like chest infections or bacterial tonsillitis.

Only treating people who are likely to be become very unwell with bacterial infections (such as the immunosuppressed or those with chronic diseases).

Making antibiotics more effective, so that fewer doses are needed to treat a condition.

. What is a bacteriophage?

A white blood cell.

A virus which specifically targets bacteria.

An antibiotic which chemically digests bacteria prevalent.

An antibiotic which prevents bacteria from reproducing.

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