What type of pathogen causes measles?
A virus.
AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) — Biology — Higher · 4.3.1.2
Revise AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) — Biology — Higher specification point 4.3.1.2, Viral diseases, with free active-recall flashcards. Flip through the set or review every question and answer below.
1 / 18
What type of pathogen causes measles?
A virus.
What two symptoms can measles cause?
Fever and a red skin rash.
How does measles spread between people?
By inhaling droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
How serious can measles be?
It can be serious and may be fatal if complications develop.
How are young children commonly protected against measles?
By vaccination.
What is pathogen transmission?
The transfer of a pathogen from one host to another.
How can pathogens spread through direct contact?
By touching an infected person or exchanging blood or other body fluids.
What makes pathogen transmission indirect?
Something else carries the pathogen before it reaches a new host.
What are four important indirect routes of pathogen transmission?
How does HIV infection affect helper T cells over time?
It reduces their number and function.
Why does the loss of helper T cells weaken immune responses?
Helper T cells stimulate other immune cells.
What is AIDS?
The advanced stage of HIV infection, in which severe immune deficiency allows opportunistic infections and other illnesses to cause serious symptoms.
Why do antibiotics not treat HIV or other viral infections?
Viruses lack the bacterial structures or processes targeted by antibiotics and reproduce using host-cell machinery.
Why might a person with AIDS be given antibiotics?
To treat a bacterial infection occurring alongside AIDS.
How can HIV be transmitted?
Through sexual contact or the exchange of body fluids, including blood when people share needles.
What illness can HIV infection initially cause?
A flu-like illness.
How do antiretroviral drugs help prevent HIV from progressing to AIDS?
They control the virus, reducing its damage to immune cells.
What is the effect of severe immune damage in AIDS?
The body cannot deal effectively with other infections or cancers.