Question 39 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Current Affairs

Question

H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Swine flu

Strategy: Associate the H1N1 viral strain with swine flu by eliminating incorrect options such as HIV (AIDS), dengue, and bird flu (H5N1).

Key Info: **H1N1 and Swine Flu**
H1N1 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus and the cause of swine flu, a condition widely recognized during the 2009 pandemic.

- **Nature of Illness:** Swine flu primarily infects pigs but can be transmitted to humans, causing a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to seasonal flu.
- **Transmission:** The virus spreads between people through droplets from coughing or sneezing.

**Distinction from Other Diseases**
It is important to differentiate H1N1 from other pathogens:

- **Bird Flu:** Caused by different avian influenza subtypes, such as H5N1 or H7N9, which mainly affect birds.
- **HIV (AIDS):** Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a retrovirus unrelated to influenza.
- **Dengue:** A vector-borne disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, caused by the dengue virus (a Flavivirus).

**Virus Classification**
Influenza viruses are categorized by their surface proteins, hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). H1N1 and H3N2 are common subtypes that cause seasonal flu in humans.

Answer

Option A: AIDS

Answer

Option B: Bird flu

Answer

Option C: Dengue