HPSSC - 2015
Applied Microbiology & Infection control (E5)
Easy
Which system of the body gets infected in Rabies?
Appeared in: HPSSC - 2015
Explanation
- Rabies is caused by a neurotropic virus, which is a virus that preferentially infects nerve cells.
- Following a bite, the virus travels from the peripheral nerves to the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain and spinal cord.
- The virus replicates within the CNS, causing severe and fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
- Symptoms like hydrophobia, aerophobia, and agitation are all manifestations of severe CNS dysfunction.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: The GI system is not the primary target. While non-specific symptoms like nausea and vomiting can occur during the prodromal phase, the core pathology of rabies is not in the GI tract.
- Option B: The respiratory system is not the primary site of infection. Difficulty breathing or spasms of the diaphragm are late-stage symptoms caused by the virus's effect on the brainstem and nerves controlling respiration.
- Option C: The cardiovascular system is not the primary target. Cardiac arrest or arrhythmias can be the ultimate cause of death in rabies, but this is a complication resulting from severe autonomic instability originating from the CNS infection.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Pathophysiology of Rabies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- The primary clinical relevance is the absolute necessity of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). Once clinical symptoms of rabies appear, the disease is nearly 100% fatal. Nurses play a key role in wound care, administering PEP, and educating patients.
- A key nursing responsibility is to perform meticulous wound care immediately after an animal bite, as thorough washing with soap and water can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
- What if? A patient is found in a room with a bat but has no visible bite mark. According to CDC guidelines, PEP should still be considered because bat bites can be very small and go unnoticed, especially if the person was sleeping or is a young child.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'Rabies'.
- Recall the fundamental nature of the rabies virus. It is famous for causing distinct behavioral and neurological changes.
- Connect these hallmark symptoms (e.g., aggression, confusion, hydrophobia) to the body system responsible for behavior and control, which is the nervous system.
- Evaluate the options. The Central Nervous System is the only option that directly relates to the known neurological effects of rabies.
- Eliminate the other systems (GI, Respiratory, Cardiovascular) as they are not the primary site of infection, even though they may be affected secondarily due to CNS failure.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Pathophysiology of Rabies
- Stem keywords: Rabies, infected, system of the body
- Lead-in keywords: Which
Question ID
Q7V4uf9uVhTPqveHpKAaCu
Reference Book
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 2029-2031
E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 2088-2090
Practise the full HPSSC - 2015
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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