Yellow fever is caused due to the microorganism of?

Appeared in: MNS 2015

Explanation

Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus.
The causative agent is an arbovirus belonging to the Flavivirus genus.
The virus is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes aegypti species.
Severe cases are characterized by fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and hemorrhagic manifestations.

Option A: Bacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms that cause diseases like tuberculosis, typhoid, and cholera, which have different pathophysiology and transmission routes.
Option B: Protozoa are single-celled eukaryotes. They are responsible for diseases such as malaria (caused by Plasmodium) and amoebiasis, not viral fevers.
Option D: Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that cause infections like ringworm, candidiasis, or aspergillosis, which typically present differently from acute hemorrhagic fevers.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Causative agent of Yellow Fever as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must be vigilant in identifying potential cases by assessing a patient's travel history, especially to endemic areas in Africa and South America.
The cornerstone of prevention is vaccination. Nurses play a key role in educating the public and travelers about the importance and validity of the 17D live-attenuated vaccine.
Patient care is supportive. Nursing interventions include monitoring for signs of hemorrhage, ensuring fluid and electrolyte balance, and protecting the patient from further mosquito bites to prevent transmission.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is to determine the type of microorganism causing 'Yellow fever'.
Recall or deduce the classification of common infectious diseases. Yellow fever is a well-known viral hemorrhagic fever.
Systematically evaluate the options. 'Bacteria' cause infections like TB or cholera. 'Protozoa' cause malaria. 'Fungus' causes conditions like ringworm.
Conclude that 'Virus' is the only category that fits the etiology of Yellow Fever, which is caused by a Flavivirus.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 264-266

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 2077-2079

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 144-146

Practise the full MNS 2015

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