Question

A patient has developed antibodies to varicella. What part of the chain of infection has been broken in this case that would provide protection from disease?

A) Infectious agent.
B) Portal of entry.
C) Portal of exit.
D) Susceptible host.
E) Reservoir.

Answer 1

Antibodies to varicella break the chain of infection at the susceptible host stage, providing protection from the disease by making the host resistant to the infection.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient has developed antibodies to varicella, the part of the chain of infection that has been broken is the susceptible host. The varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox, and following an initial infection, the virus can enter a latent state in the host's body. When the immune system creates antibodies against the virus, it disrupts the susceptibility of the host to the infection, thus providing protection from developing the disease. Indeed, this break in the chain—moving an individual from being a susceptible host to a resistant one—is a critical factor in preventing the spread of infections like chickenpox.