Q 01/05

Which group A strep disease strikes Beth March in Little Women and the boy in The Velveteen Rabbit?

A) Measles

B) Typhoid fever

C) Scarlet fever

D) Diphtheria

Answer · why

C) Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever was a leading cause of death in children in the early 20th century, which is why it haunts so many classic stories.

Q 02/05

Group A strep is one cause of necrotizing fasciitis, a rare infection better known by which grim nickname?

A) Flesh-eating disease

B) Sleeping sickness

C) Chronic wasting disease

D) Brittle bone disease

Answer · why

A) Flesh-eating disease

Flesh-eating disease is a misnomer: the bacteria do not eat tissue but release toxins that kill it, making it a surgical emergency.

Q 03/05

Which entertainer died in May 1990 of toxic shock syndrome caused by a group A streptococcal infection?

A) Sammy Davis Jr.

B) Jim Henson

C) Leonard Bernstein

D) Rex Harrison

Answer · why

B) Jim Henson

Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, was 53; his doctor said he might have been saved had he reached hospital a few hours sooner.

Q 04/05

Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium that thrives in the mouth, is a major contributor to which common health problem?

A) Cold sores

B) Canker sores

C) Oral thrush

D) Tooth decay

Answer · why

D) Tooth decay

Tooth decay sets in because the bacterium turns sucrose into acid that erodes the enamel.

Q 05/05

Streptococcus thermophilus, a harmless cousin of the strep throat germ, is a standard starter culture for which food?

A) Kimchi

B) Sourdough

C) Yogurt

D) Sauerkraut

Answer · why

C) Yogurt

Yogurt is made by keeping warm milk for hours with this species and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, which sour and thicken it together.