Typhoid is a ______ borne disease?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

Typhoid fever is primarily a water-borne disease, meaning it spreads through water contaminated by the pathogen.
The causative agent is the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, which is transmitted via the fecal-oral route.
Ingestion of contaminated water or food is the most common way people get infected, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
The bacteria can survive in water and ice, making them effective vehicles for transmission.

Option A: Air-borne transmission involves pathogens spreading through the air in droplets or dust. Typhoid is caused by ingesting contaminated substances, not inhaling the bacteria.
Option B: Vector-borne diseases are spread by living organisms like mosquitoes or ticks. Typhoid is not transmitted by an insect or animal vector.
Option D: 'Virus' describes a type of pathogen, not a mode of transmission. Typhoid is caused by a bacterium (Salmonella Typhi), not a virus.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Mode of transmission for infectious diseases, specifically Typhoid fever helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding the mode of transmission is critical for nurses in patient education and public health initiatives. For Typhoid, the focus is on hygiene, sanitation, and safe water.
Nurses must educate patients and communities about the 'Five Fs' of transmission: Fingers, Flies, Fields, Fluids, and Food.
Patient education should include handwashing with soap, drinking boiled or treated water, avoiding raw foods washed with unsafe water, and proper sanitation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Typhoid'.
Recall or deduce the primary mode of transmission for this disease. Typhoid is a well-known enteric (intestinal) fever.
Analyze the options provided: 'Air', 'Vector', 'Water', and 'Virus'.
Evaluate each option. 'Air' and 'Vector' represent different, distinct modes of transmission. 'Virus' describes a type of pathogen, not a transmission route.
'Water' is a common vehicle for enteric pathogens. This aligns with the nature of Typhoid.
Select 'Water' as the most fitting description of how Typhoid is borne or transmitted.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Mode of transmission for infectious diseases, specifically Typhoid fever.
Stem keywords: Typhoid, borne disease
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart A (pp 26-201 of 604) pp. 91-93, 90-92

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 91-93

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse - 2016

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