The diseases that are also known as 'hydrophobia' is?

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

Rabies is a fatal viral disease of the central nervous system, also known as hydrophobia.
The term 'hydrophobia' (fear of water) is a classic symptom where the virus causes intensely painful spasms of the throat and pharyngeal muscles upon seeing or attempting to drink water.
This reaction is so severe that the patient develops an apparent terror of water, which is a pathognomonic (specifically characteristic) sign of furious rabies.
The disease is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly through bites.

Option A: Dengue is not known as hydrophobia. Its common name is 'break-bone fever' due to the severe myalgia and arthralgia it causes.
Option C: Plague is not known as hydrophobia. It is historically referred to as the 'Black Death' due to the gangrenous necrosis and dark skin patches it can cause.
Option D: Measles is not known as hydrophobia. It is also called 'rubeola' and is identified by its characteristic maculopapular rash and Koplik's spots.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Synonym and clinical features of Rabies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Immediate and correct post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is life-saving. Once clinical symptoms of rabies appear, the disease is nearly 100% fatal.
Nurses play a crucial role in wound management (thorough washing with soap and water for at least 15 minutes), administering the rabies vaccine series correctly, and providing patient education on the importance of completing the schedule.
What if? If a patient presents with a Category II exposure (minor scratches without bleeding) but is severely immunocompromised, they should be treated as a Category III exposure, requiring both vaccine and Rabies Immunoglobulin (RIG) to ensure an adequate immune response.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of disease synonyms.
First, identify the key term in the question stem, which is 'hydrophobia'.
Translate or recall the meaning of 'hydrophobia', which is 'fear of water'.
Systematically review the options and connect this specific, classic symptom to the correct disease.
Recall that Rabies is famously associated with hydrophobia due to painful swallowing spasms.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their common names or key features: Dengue ('break-bone fever'), Plague ('Black Death'), and Measles ('rubeola').

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) pp. 138-140, 140-142

Practise the full PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.