AIDS
Read the following passage carefully and answer the given questions.
AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which has an envelope enclosing RNA genome. Transmission of HIV infection generally occurs by (a) sexual contact with infected person, (b) transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products, (c) sharing infected needles, as in case of intravenous drug abusers; and (d) from infected mother to her child through placenta. It is important to note that HIV/AIDS is not spread by mere touch or physical contact; it spreads only through body fluids. It is, hence, imperative, for physical and psychological well-being, that they are not isolated from family and society. Infection with HIV or having AIDS is something that should not be hidden – since then, the infection may spread to many more people. HIV/AIDS-infected people need help and sympathy instead of being shunned by society.
Transmission of HIV infection does not occur by:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Mere touch or physical contact
The passage says that HIV spreads only through body fluids, such as blood and semen. So the virus must reach the blood or body fluids of another person for an infection to take place.
(1) Sexual contact with infected person — A way HIV is transmitted. Body fluids pass from one partner to the other.
(2) Sharing of infected needles — A way HIV is transmitted. Infected blood left in a shared needle enters the next person, as happens among intravenous drug abusers.
(3) Infected mother to her child — A way HIV is transmitted. The virus passes from the mother to her child through the placenta.
(4) Mere touch or physical contact — Not a way HIV is transmitted. Touching or other physical contact passes no body fluid. This is why HIV/AIDS-infected persons should not be isolated from family and society.
Note: The passage is taken from NCERT. NTA has put lines of the NCERT text together to make it. Most CUET (UG) questions come straight from NCERT, so study the book line by line, including figures and their titles.