Which of the following diseases are caused by viruses?

The correct answer is that mumps is indeed caused by a virus. Mumps is specifically caused by the mumps virus, which is a paramyxovirus. This disease primarily affects the salivary glands, leading to swelling and pain. The fact that mumps is viral is significant in terms of treatment and prevention; vaccination with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is an effective way to prevent the disease.

Measles and Hepatitis B, while also viral infections, fall under different choices. Measles is caused by the measles virus, and Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus. These diseases share similarities with mumps in being caused by viruses but are distinct from one another in their specific causative agents and clinical presentations.

Tetanus, on the other hand, is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani, which produces a potent neurotoxin. This highlights a crucial difference since it is not a viral disease, and as a result, it requires different preventive measures such as vaccinations with tetanus toxoid rather than antiviral vaccines.

Understanding the distinctions between viral and bacterial infections is key in infection control practices, guiding appropriate treatment and preventive strategies.