Question 38

Strep throat is caused by a bacterium.

Strep throat is an infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, which is responsible for the symptoms associated with this disease.

A) Mumps

Mumps is a viral infection caused by the mumps virus, not a bacterium. It is characterized by swelling of the parotid glands and can lead to complications, but it does not stem from bacterial infection.

B) Strep throat

Strep throat is indeed caused by a bacterium, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes. This bacterial infection leads to a sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes, making it the correct answer to the question.

C) AIDS (HIV+)

AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is a virus and not a bacterium. This disease affects the immune system and leads to various opportunistic infections, but it is not linked to bacterial pathogens.

D) Common cold

The common cold is primarily caused by viruses, such as rhinoviruses, and not by bacteria. While bacterial infections can occur secondary to viral illnesses, the common cold itself is not caused by a bacterium.

Conclusion

Strep throat is the only option among the choices that is directly caused by a bacterium, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes. All other options either stem from viral infections or are unrelated to bacterial pathogens, thus reinforcing that B is the definitive correct answer.