Question

Which of the following is an air borne disease?

• A. Tuberculosis
• B. Malaria
• C. Typhoid
• D. Leprosy

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (D)

Leprosy

The correct options are A and D:

Explanation of the correct option:

Option A:

1. The disease which is transmitted from one person to the other, when the pathogen travels through the air, mainly via air droplets, is known as airborne disease.
2. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
3. Tuberculosis is transmitted when an infected person sneezes or coughs and the bacteria is transmitted through the air.
4. Symptoms include coughing, fatigue, chest pain, weight loss, etc.

Option D:

1. Leprosy is caused by a bacterium called Mycobaterium leprae.
2. Leprosy is also transmitted by coughing and sneezing, hence it is an airborne disease.
3. Symptoms include dry and stiff skin, swelling, discolored patches on the skin, etc.
4. Also called Hansen's disease.

Explanation of the incorrect option:

Option B:

1. Malaria is caused by a parasite and is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquitoes.
2. Hence, it is not an airborne disease.

Option C:

1. Typhoid is caused by the bacterium salmonella typhi.
2. It is transmitted by food or water.
3. It falls under the category of foodborne or water-borne disease.

Final answer: Both tuberculosis and leprosy are air-borne diseases.