Which disease is caused by a virus?

Which disease is caused by a virus?

• A. Chicken pox
• B. Strep throat
• C. Impetigo
• D. Pink eye

Answer: (A)

This question tests your ability to tell viral infections from bacterial ones. Chicken pox is caused by a virus—the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpesvirus family. It spreads through respiratory droplets and produces the classic itchy vesicular rash. Vaccination exists and treatment is typically supportive, with antivirals used in some cases. The other conditions are caused by bacteria: strep throat by Streptococcus bacteria, and impetigo by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus bacteria. Pink eye can be due to either a viral or a bacterial infection, depending on the cause, so it’s not as definitively viral as chicken pox.

This question tests your ability to tell viral infections from bacterial ones. Chicken pox is caused by a virus—the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpesvirus family. It spreads through respiratory droplets and produces the classic itchy vesicular rash. Vaccination exists and treatment is typically supportive, with antivirals used in some cases.

The other conditions are caused by bacteria: strep throat by Streptococcus bacteria, and impetigo by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus bacteria. Pink eye can be due to either a viral or a bacterial infection, depending on the cause, so it’s not as definitively viral as chicken pox.