30 Questions
What was the reason for Mary Mallon's initial suspicion as the cause of the typhoid fever outbreak?
She had a history of working in places where typhoid fever outbreaks occurred
Why was Mary Mallon quarantined on a small island in the East River?
To prevent her from causing more outbreaks
What made Mary's case significant according to the text?
She was the first healthy carrier of typhoid fever in the United States
What factor led to Mary Mallon's release from quarantine after three years?
Her commitment to never cook for others again
Why did Mary Mallon return to cooking, causing another outbreak?
She needed to support herself financially and cooking was her only skill
What were some of the questions hidden behind the simple facts of Mary Mallon's case as mentioned in the text?
Did it matter that she was Irish, working class, and female, and why could she carry a disease-causing germ without being sick
What is the most common symptom of typhoid fever?
High fever
How is typhoid fever typically diagnosed?
Testing blood or stool for the presence of bacteria
What is the percentage of cases in which typhoid fever leads to death if left untreated?
10%-20%
How are humans usually infected with Salmonella typhi, the bacterium that causes typhoid fever?
Fecal-oral contamination
What is a common consequence for about 3% of the survivors of typhoid fever?
"Healthy carriers" in whom the bacteria persist and are shed in an infectious state in the person’s stool
What is the primary mode of transmission for Salmonella typhi?
"Fecal-oral contamination, usually by drinking contaminated water or by eating food prepared by an infected person"
What is the impact of modern water treatment on typhoid fever outbreaks?
Significantly reduced the number of outbreaks
Why is it mentioned that humans are the only host for Salmonella typhi?
"To emphasize the importance of human hygiene in preventing typhoid fever transmission"
In which region is typhoid fever relatively rare due to modern water treatment?
"The US"
Why was Mary Mallon suspected as the cause of the initial typhoid fever outbreak?
She had a history of working in places where typhoid fever outbreaks occurred.
What made Mary's case significant according to the text?
Her status as the first 'healthy carrier' of a disease in the United States.
What factor led to Mary Mallon's release from quarantine after three years?
The absence of any new typhoid fever cases during her quarantine.
What were some of the questions hidden behind the simple facts of Mary Mallon's case as mentioned in the text?
What would we do today with Mary? Why did they suspect her as the cause of the initial outbreak?
How could Mary carry a disease-causing germ without being sick?
She was an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever.
Were there other healthy carriers besides Mary Mallon?
Yes, there were several other healthy carriers identified subsequently.
What is the most common symptom of typhoid fever?
High fever
What is the primary mode of transmission for Salmonella typhi?
Ingestion of contaminated food or water
What is a common consequence for about 3% of the survivors of typhoid fever?
Becoming 'healthy carriers' of the bacteria
How long does the disease usually run its course in a patient with typhoid fever?
About a month
What is the impact of modern water treatment on typhoid fever outbreaks?
It has reduced the number of cases but not completely eradicated outbreaks.
Who are the potential sources of input for answering key questions about managing infectious diseases?
Biologists, physicians, and public health workers
What is the most effective way to be sure of a typhoid fever infection?
Testing blood or stool for the presence of the bacteria
What is the rate of typhoid fever in the Mekong delta region of Vietnam?
1 per thousand individuals every year
What is the typical outcome for those who survive typhoid fever?
They develop immunity but remain carriers of the bacteria.
Test your knowledge about the story of Mary Mallon, a cook suspected of causing an outbreak of typhoid fever in 1907. Explore the debate around whether she was a villain or a victim.
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