UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies
Question 92: Science and Technology
Consider the following conditions of sick human body
- 1.Swollen lymph nodes
- 2.Sweating at night
- 3.Loss of memory
- 4.Loss of weight
Which of these are the symptoms of AIDS?
AnswerThe answer is (d).
AIDS, caused by HIV, weakens the immune system, and its typical features include persistent swollen lymph nodes, drenching night sweats, loss of weight and, as the virus affects the brain, memory loss and other neurological problems. All four listed conditions are therefore symptoms. Remember that HIV is passed by blood, sexual contact and from mother to child, not by casual contact.
- 1. Persistent swollen lymph nodes are a typical sign.
- 2. Night sweats are a typical sign.
- 3. The virus affects the brain and can cause memory loss.
- 4. Marked weight loss is a typical sign.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Persistent swollen lymph nodes are a typical sign.
- Then, if you were sure statement 4 is correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them leaves 4 out.
What you needed to know: Marked weight loss is a typical sign.
Only (d) is left. You didn’t need statements 2 or 3.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Memory loss and weight loss are also symptoms.
- (b) Swollen lymph nodes are a symptom too.
- (c) Weight loss is a symptom too.
- (d) Correct: all four.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.