A medical student learns that for many infectious diseases, clinically apparent cases represent only a small fraction of total infections in the community, with the majority remaining subclinical. This 'iceberg phenomenon' of disease is classically demonstrated by:
- A Rabies
- B Poliomyelitis ✓
- C Tetanus
- D Measles
Correct answer: B. Poliomyelitis
Explanation
In poliomyelitis, roughly 90% or more of infections are subclinical or abortive, while paralytic disease occurs in a small minority, making it the textbook example of the iceberg phenomenon. Rabies, tetanus and measles are almost always clinically manifest when infection occurs, so they show virtually no submerged portion of the iceberg and are poor distractor answers here.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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