All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

A joint family comprising of senior citizens, antenatal women and one-monthold infant is suffering from scabies. 
(i) Name the organism that causes scabies in humans. 
(ii) What factors are involved in the transmission of scabies in a family? 
(iii) How do you plan to treat scabies in this family? 

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2025 (Prelims) CSAT Official Paper (25-May-2025)

(i) The organism responsible for scabies in humans is Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, a microscopic mite that burrows into the skin.

(ii) Transmission of scabies within a family occurs primarily through prolonged, direct skin-to-skin contact, especially common in households with shared sleeping arrangements. Indirect transmission can occur via contaminated clothing, towels, or bedding. Factors such as overcrowding, delayed diagnosis, and close caregiving for children or the elderly facilitate spread. Poor hygiene itself does not directly cause scabies but may delay recognition, increasing risk. The incubation period of several weeks also allows asymptomatic carriers to transmit mites unknowingly.

(iii) Treatment requires a family-wide strategy. All members, symptomatic or not, must receive simultaneous treatment to halt reinfestation. Permethrin 5% cream is the first-line therapy, applied to the entire body from the neck down, left overnight, and repeated after seven days. In infants, application includes the scalp, with care to avoid eyes and mouth. Pregnant women can use permethrin safely. Additionally, clothing, bedding, and towels should be hot-washed or sealed for 72 hours, and furniture vacuumed.

Answered By:

Harsh Raj

Harsh Raj is a successful government exam expert, having cleared multiple stages of SSC CGL, IBPS PO, CDS, RRB NTPC, and Delhi Police SI exams himself and mentored more than 5000 students through direct mentorship. His expertise is in creating well researched content, especially MCQs, which have been directly asked by relevant commissions in multiple exams.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Discuss the role of various imaging modalities in the diagnostic evaluation of pyelonephritis.

  2. Briefly describe the role of lifestyle interventions in prevention of coronary artery disease.

  3. Write the criteria for diagnosing pneumonia in children according to the 'Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Control Programme' (WHO). Write the treatment strategies of different types of pneumonia according to the ARI Control Programme.

  4. How will you treat hypothermia in a 3-year-old child with severe acute malnutrition (SAM)? How will you prevent hypothermia in an SAM child?

  5. A 23-year-old woman with type I diabetes mellitus presents with nausea, vomiting and altered sensorium. On examination, she is tachypneic and hypotensive. Her random blood sugar is 460 mg/dL, and routine examination of urine is positive (++) for ketone. Outline the stepwise approach to the diagnosis and management of this patient.

  6. Define acute diarrhoea in children. List its causes. How would you assess for dehydration in such a child?

  7. Write the nutritional management of acute diarrhoea and the steps to be taken for prevention of acute diarrhoea.

  8. (i) Define eczema.
    (ii) How do you classify eczema?
    (iii) Enumerate the differences between allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. 

  9. Elaborate the indications for initiating antiviral therapy in a patient with chronic hepatitis B.

  10. A 28-year-old female with a long history of psoriasis develops symmetrical, flexural and grouped pustules with high grade fever and severe constitutional symptoms in the third trimester. 
    (i) What is your diagnosis? 
    (ii) How do you manage the condition? 
    (iii) What are the complications?


Important Questions from Miscellaneous

  1. Write a note in 150 words
    Mendelian and non-Mendelian traits.

  2. Write a note in 150 words
    Theoretical significance of Purum kinship-system.

  3. Write a note in 150 words
    Smell as a signal among non-human primates.

  4. Write a note in 150 words
    Osteodontokeratik culture and its makers.

  5. Discuss the Miocene hominoid remains and their significance in evolution.

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
UPSC CMS
August 02, 2026
IAS Exam
August 21, 2026
UPSC SO Steno
December 12, 2026
Test Series
IAS img
UPSC
UPSC CSE (IAS) 2027 Prelims Mock Test Series
654 Tests 3 Tests Free
681 Attempts
4.8(182)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App