Which of the following is not a viral infection?

Appeared in: MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Hib disease is caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b.
Bacterial infections are caused by single-celled microorganisms (bacteria), which are distinct from viruses.
The other three options are all well-known viral diseases.
Therefore, Hib disease is the only option that is not a viral infection.

Option A: This is incorrect because Hepatitis B is a well-known viral infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Option B: This is incorrect because Measles is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus, a type of paramyxovirus.
Option D: This is incorrect because Chickenpox is a common viral infection caused by the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Differentiation between viral and bacterial infections helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Correctly identifying the pathogen type (bacterial vs. viral) is critical for determining the correct treatment; bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, while most viral infections are managed with supportive care or specific antiviral drugs.
This distinction also guides the selection of appropriate isolation precautions. For example, Measles and Chickenpox require airborne precautions, while Hib disease requires droplet precautions.
What if? If a patient presented with symptoms of meningitis, a lumbar puncture would be critical to differentiate the cause. If caused by Hib (bacterial), it is a medical emergency requiring immediate IV antibiotics. If viral, management is typically supportive.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question's lead-in. The word 'not' is a negative keyword, meaning you must find the option that does not fit the category.
The category specified is 'viral infection'. Your task is to identify which of the four diseases is NOT caused by a virus.
Systematically review each option and recall its causative agent.
Hepatitis B is caused by a virus (HBV).
Measles is caused by a virus (Morbillivirus).
Chickenpox is caused by a virus (VZV).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 3 p. 152-154

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1575-1577

Practise the full MP CHO -2019 (Shift-1)

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