Which one of the Following Common Diseases of Childhood is not Caused by a Virus?

Which one of the following common diseases of childhood is not caused by a virus? The correct answer is Measles. Measles isn’t caused by a virus; it’s caused by the measles virus a member of the paramyxovirus family. The measles virus is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects the cells of both humans and monkeys, making it one of just two viruses that can cross between humans and non-human primates.

Most diseases of childhood have a viral cause i.e. caught from another infected person or via direct contact with an infected person or his/her bodily fluids. Is there then one common childhood illness that has a bacterial cause that is not a virus?

Which one of the Following Common Diseases of Childhood is not Caused by a Virus?

1. Chickenpox (Varicella)

2. Measles (Rubeola)

3. Whooping cough

4. Rubella (German Measles)

Whooping cough is caused by a bacterium, not a virus.

It’s also called pertussis, and it can be very dangerous for infants and young children. The disease causes uncontrollable coughing that can make it hard to breathe. After a few weeks, the coughing may turn into a whooping sound when you breathe in, then out.

Babies with whooping cough may have trouble eating or drinking because of the coughing. They may also have trouble keeping up with their normal activities, such as playing with toys or walking around.

The common diseases of childhood that are not caused by a virus include:

• Mumps (caused by a virus)

• Chickenpox (caused by a virus)

• Measles (caused by a virus)

The remaining common diseases of childhood are caused by bacteria.