Question

24. Consider the following statements :

1. Measles is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing of an infected person.

2. Measles can make a child vulnerable to life threatening complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and brain infection.

3. Rubella is generally a mild infection, but has serious consequences if infection occurs in pregnant women, causing congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

• A. a) 3 only
• B. b) 1 and 2 only
• C. c) 2 and 3 only
• D. d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

The correct option is D d) 1, 2 and 3

d)
Measles is a deadly disease and one of the important causes of death in children. It is highly contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing of an infected person. Measles can make a child vulnerable to life threatening complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and brain infection. Globally, in 2015, measles killed an estimated 1, 34,200 children—mostly under-5 years. In India, it killed an estimated 49,200 children.

Rubella is generally a mild infection, but has serious consequences if infection occurs in pregnant women, causing congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which is a cause of public health concern. CRS is characterized by congenital anomalies in the foetus and newborns affecting the eyes (glaucoma, cataract), ears (hearing loss), brain (microcephaly, mental retardation) and heart defects, causing a huge socio-economic burden on the families in particular and society in general.