Which disease is caused by a bacterium?
Strep throat is caused by a bacterium.
Strep throat is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and pain in the throat. This disease is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS), a bacterium that can be spread through direct contact with mucus from the nose or throat of people who are sick with strep throat or through contact with infected wounds or sores on the skin.
Mumps is not caused by a bacterium. Instead, it is a viral infection that primarily affects the parotid glands — one of three pairs of saliva-producing (salivary) glands, situated below and in front of your ears. Hence, this choice is incorrect.
Strep throat is indeed caused by a bacterium, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes, or group A streptococcus. This bacterium is responsible for the sore and inflamed throat that characterizes this condition. This makes strep throat the correct choice.
AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV is a type of virus, not a bacterium, making this choice incorrect.
The common cold is a viral infection, not a bacterial one. It is primarily caused by rhinoviruses, along with numerous other viral species. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.
The only disease among the options that is caused by a bacterium is strep throat. Mumps, AIDS (HIV+), and the common cold are all caused by viruses, not bacteria. It's crucial to know the difference because treatment approaches for bacterial and viral infections can differ significantly: bacterial infections can often be cured with antibiotics, while viral infections generally have to run their course.
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