AEMCA Practice Exam

What is rubeola?

1. A mild viral infection with no complications

2. An acute viral disease that is highly contagious and more severe than rubella

3. A form of chronic lung disease

4. A bacterial infection affecting the digestive system

The correct answer is: An acute viral disease that is highly contagious and more severe than rubella

Rubeola, commonly known as measles, is indeed characterized as an acute viral disease that is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications. This viral infection is caused by the measles virus and is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The symptoms of rubeola typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes, followed by a distinctive rash that usually appears a few days later. The severity of rubeola is notable; it can lead to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death in some cases. This differentiates rubeola from rubella, which is generally milder and often referred to as German measles. Understanding the severe nature and high contagion rate of rubeola helps highlight the importance of vaccination and public health measures designed to control outbreaks. The other options provided do not accurately describe rubeola; they refer to different conditions that are unrelated to this specific viral infection.