Virology: hantavirus: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Virology: hantavirus

Sample item

A young man cleans a long-closed, rodent-infested grain shed and 10 days later develops fever, myalgia and then rapidly progressive breathlessness with non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, haemoconcentration and thrombocytopenia. What is the most likely mode of acquisition?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Inhalation of aerosolised rodent excreta

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is caused by hantaviruses such as Sin Nombre virus, which is carried by rodents and shed in urine, droppings and saliva. Humans are infected by inhaling aerosols from contaminated areas, and person-to-person spread is rare. Treatment is supportive, with early intensive care.

Option by option

  • A. Sexual contact

    Sexual transmission does not occur.

  • B. Inhalation of aerosolised rodent excreta (correct)

    Correct. Aerosolised rodent excreta in enclosed spaces is the typical source.

  • C. A mosquito bite

    Hantaviruses are not mosquito-borne.

  • D. A tick bite

    Ticks are not vectors of hantavirus.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is B, Inhalation of aerosolised rodent excreta. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is caused by hantaviruses such as Sin Nombre virus, which is carried by rodents and shed in urine, droppings and saliva.

Why is "Sexual contact" not the answer?

Sexual transmission does not occur.

Why is "A mosquito bite" not the answer?

Hantaviruses are not mosquito-borne.

Why is "A tick bite" not the answer?

Ticks are not vectors of hantavirus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: hantavirus in Microbiology. Humans are infected by inhaling aerosols from contaminated areas, and person-to-person spread is rare. Treatment is supportive, with early intensive care.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Virology: hantavirus?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.