Question 11 from UPSC CSE 2019 - Science & Technology

Question

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.

Strategy: Evaluate each option against established medical facts. The key differentiator is the availability of a vaccine: Hepatitis B has one, while Hepatitis C does not. This fact identifies option B as the incorrect statement. Confirm the validity of the remaining options to solidify the choice.

Key Info: **Hepatitis B**
- A viral liver infection caused by HBV.
- Transmission occurs through contact with infected bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids).
- A highly effective vaccine is globally available and recommended by the WHO.

**Hepatitis C**
- Also a viral liver infection.
- Lacks an approved vaccine.
- Prevention focuses on minimizing exposure to the virus.

**Comparison with HIV**
- Transmission routes for Hepatitis B and HIV are similar (unprotected sex, needle sharing, contaminated blood, mother-to-child).
- The number of people infected with Hepatitis B or C worldwide is substantially higher than those with HIV.

**Symptoms and Long-Term Effects**
- Both chronic Hepatitis B and C can be asymptomatic for years, even decades.
- During this asymptomatic period, the virus can cause gradual liver damage, potentially leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
- Acute Hepatitis B symptoms may appear 2–12 weeks after infection.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses are several times more than those infected with HIV.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.