2010 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies

Question 128: Science and Technology

With regard to the transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which one of the following statements is not correct ?

aThe chances of transmission from female to male are twice as likely as from male to female
bThe chances of transmission are more if a person suffers from other sexually transmitted infections
cAn infected mother can transmit the infection to her baby during pregnancy, at childbirth and by breast feeding
dThe risk of contracting infection from transfusion of infected blood is much higher than an exposure to contaminated needle

AnswerThe answer is (a).

HIV passes more easily from male to female than from female to male (roughly twice as likely), because of the larger area of exposed mucosa and the greater amount of infected fluid in semen. So the claim that female-to-male transmission is twice as likely is the incorrect one. Other sexually transmitted infections raise the risk, an infected mother can pass HIV during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding, and infected blood in a transfusion carries a far higher chance of infection than a needle exposure.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Right (the false statement): male-to-female transmission is the more likely, not the reverse.
  • (b) Correct: other sexually transmitted infections raise the risk.
  • (c) Correct: mother-to-child transmission can occur in pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.
  • (d) Correct: transfused infected blood carries a much higher risk than a needle exposure.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.