Read the given passage and answer the following questions:
Bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are responsible for the disease pneumonia in humans which infects the alveoli (air filled sacs) of the lungs. As a result of the infection, the alveoli get filled with fluid leading to severe problems in respiration. The symptoms of pneumonia include fever, chills, cough and headache. In severe cases, the lips and finger nails may turn gray to bluish in colour. A healthy person acquires the infection by inhaling the droplets/aerosols released by an infected person or even by sharing glasses and utensils with an infected person. Dysentery, plague, diphtheria, etc., are some of the other bacterial diseases in man. Many viruses also cause diseases in human beings. Rhino viruses represent one such group of viruses which cause one of the most infectious human ailments – the common cold. They infect the nose and respiratory passage but not the lungs. The common cold is characterised by nasal congestion and discharge, sore throat, hoarseness, cough, headache, tiredness, etc., which usually last for 3-7 days. Droplets resulting from cough or sneezes of an infected person are either inhaled directly or transmitted through contaminated objects such as pens, books, cups, doorknobs, computer keyboard or mouse, etc., and cause infection in a healthy person.
Pneumonia affects which part of the human body?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Alveoli of the lungs
The passage states that Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae cause pneumonia, “which infects the alveoli (air filled sacs) of the lungs.” The alveoli then fill with fluid, and this causes severe problems in breathing. Alveoli are the tiny air sacs of the lungs where gases are exchanged, so an infection there affects respiration directly.
Option (1) Nose — Incorrect. The nose is infected by the rhino viruses that cause the common cold. The passage says these viruses infect the nose and respiratory passage but not the lungs.
Option (2) Throat — Incorrect. The throat is part of the respiratory passage affected in the common cold (sore throat). Pneumonia affects the lungs deeper down.
Option (3) Alveoli of the lungs — Correct. The pneumonia bacteria infect the alveoli of the lungs, which fill with fluid and make breathing difficult.
Option (4) Stomach — Incorrect. The stomach is part of the digestive system. Pneumonia is a disease of the respiratory system.