Epidemiology: carrier states: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Epidemiology: carrier states

Sample item

A woman recovered from typhoid six weeks ago, has no symptoms, but her stool still grows Salmonella Typhi. She works as a cook. What type of carrier is she at this stage?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Convalescent carrier

A person who continues to shed the organism after clinical recovery is a convalescent carrier, and becomes a chronic carrier if shedding continues for a long period. Incubatory carriers shed before symptoms and healthy carriers never had disease. Food handlers who are carriers need exclusion from work and treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Healthy (contact) carrier

    Healthy carriers harbour the organism without ever having had clinical disease.

  • B. Convalescent carrier (correct)

    Correct. She shed after clinical recovery.

  • C. Incubatory carrier

    Incubatory carriers shed during the incubation period before symptoms appear.

  • D. Chronic carrier

    A chronic carrier is conventionally one who continues to shed for more than a year; she is only six weeks from recovery.

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.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Convalescent carrier. A person who continues to shed the organism after clinical recovery is a convalescent carrier, and becomes a chronic carrier if shedding continues for a long period.

Why is "Healthy (contact) carrier" not the answer?

Healthy carriers harbour the organism without ever having had clinical disease.

Why is "Incubatory carrier" not the answer?

Incubatory carriers shed during the incubation period before symptoms appear.

Why is "Chronic carrier" not the answer?

A chronic carrier is conventionally one who continues to shed for more than a year; she is only six weeks from recovery.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Epidemiology: carrier states in PSM. Incubatory carriers shed before symptoms and healthy carriers never had disease. Food handlers who are carriers need exclusion from work and treatment.

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 Epidemiology: carrier states?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.