Question

chicken-pox is a common childhood virus. typically, during the first day of exposure, the victim gets sniffles and begins running a fever. by the second day, small sores have broken out all over the body. by the third day, the person has an obvious case of the chicken-pox. however, by about the 7th day, the chicken pox is gone, but the virus remains hidden in the dna of the person for the rest of their life. which statement is not true? a chicken pox is a lytic virus when it is causing sores. b antibiotics could cure chicken pox sooner than 7 days, since it is a virus. c chicken pox is a lysogenic virus when it is hiding in the person’s dna. d the immune system of a person gets chicken pox under control in about 7 days.

Explanation:

• Option A: When causing sores, chickenpox (varicella - zoster virus) is in the lytic cycle (producing symptoms), so this is true.
• Option B: Antibiotics target bacteria, not viruses. Chickenpox is a viral infection, so antibiotics cannot cure it. This statement is false.
• Option C: When hidden in DNA, the virus is in the lysogenic cycle, so this is true.
• Option D: The text states the chickenpox is gone by the 7th day, implying the immune system controls it by then, so this is true.

Answer:

B. Antibiotics could cure chicken pox sooner than 7 days, since it is a virus.