Question

UPSC Prelims 2015 Question:

H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases?

1. AIDS
2. Bird flu
3. Dengue
4. Swine flu

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4: Swine flu

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

Swine flu (H1N1) is a type of viral infection. It’s called swine flu because it resembles a respiratory infection that pigs can get. H1N1 is a type of influenza A virus, and H1N1 is one of several flu virus strains that can cause the seasonal flu. This virus is a combination of viruses from pigs, birds and humans that causes disease in humans.
During the 2009-10 flu season, H1N1 caused the respiratory infection in humans that was commonly referred to as swine flu. Because so many people around the world got sick, in 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 flu to be a pandemic. After the pandemic was over, the H1N1 flu virus became one of the strains that cause seasonal flu.

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Science & Technology | Health and Diseases

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