UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies
Question 125: Science and Technology
Consider the following statements :
- 1.Hepatitis B is several times more infectious than HIV/AIDS
- 2.Hepatitis B can cause liver cancer
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
Hepatitis B virus is much more infectious than HIV: it is often cited as 50 to 100 times more infectious through blood exposure, because it is present in high concentration in infected blood. Chronic infection damages the liver and can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), so both statements are correct. A vaccine is available. Remember: hepatitis B spreads like HIV (blood, sexual contact, mother to child) but is far more infectious.
- 1. Hepatitis B is far more infectious than HIV.
- 2. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver cancer.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Hepatitis B is far more infectious than HIV.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: Chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver cancer.
Only (c) is left. This one needs every statement.
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) Statement 2 is also correct.
- (b) Statement 1 is also correct.
- (c) Right: both statements are correct.
- (d) Both statements are correct, so 'neither' is wrong.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.