Dental Assistant Practice Exam

Which disease is transmitted primarily through body fluids, including blood?

1. Hepatitis A

2. Hepatitis B

3. Tuberculosis

4. Influenza

The correct answer is: Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that primarily spreads through contact with infectious body fluids, which include blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. This mode of transmission makes it particularly relevant in healthcare settings where exposure to blood is more likely. Unlike Hepatitis A, which is transmitted through the fecal-oral route and is associated with contaminated food or water, Hepatitis B requires direct exposure to infected bodily fluids for transmission. Tuberculosis is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, rather than through body fluids like blood. Influenza, similarly, spreads through respiratory droplets and does not involve the transmission of body fluids in the same manner as blood-borne viruses. Thus, Hepatitis B stands out as the disease in the question that is associated with the transmission via body fluids such as blood. Understanding the transmission routes of these diseases is crucial for effective prevention and control measures in both community and healthcare settings.