FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Plague of Galen
Quiz about Plague of Galen

Plague of Galen Trivia Quiz


This quiz is about the Antonine Plague which caused widespread destruction in the Roman Empire. It is also known as the Plague of Galen.

A multiple-choice quiz by Saleo. Estimated time: 5 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Science Trivia
  6. »
  7. Diseases
  8. »
  9. Viral Diseases

Author
Saleo
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
402,581
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
173
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. The Antonine Plague, a pandemic that occurred in the Roman Empire around 165 A.D. and caused a lot of death, is believed to have been caused by smallpox or measles. Smallpox is caused by a virus belonging to the family Poxviridae. Which family of viruses does the measles virus belong to? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Galen, a physician, recorded that this pandemic caused symptoms like fever and diarrhea. Which other symptom is seen in both smallpox and measles, although the 'pattern' may be different? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The Plague of Galen is said to have claimed the life of the Roman emperor, Lucius Verus. Many believe the plague that took his life was smallpox. A clinical type of smallpox was called black pox as there was bleeding under the skin making it looked charred. What is this highly fatal black pox also known as? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. If doctors who lived then had the knowledge we have today they might have been able to prove that the Plague of Galen was, in fact, measles. One of the characteristic signs of measles is temporary spots that appear inside the mouth during the course of the disease. What are these spots called? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. There is much speculation about where and how the Plague of Galen began. It would have been clearer earlier if we knew whether animals were involved. Which of the following is true about the transmission of the smallpox or measles viruses from animals to humans? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. History would have had a different story to record if laboratories during the Roman Empire had cutting-edge technology like we have today. Which of the following are methods to diagnose measles in a clinical setup? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. If there had been a modern microscope present in the Roman Empire during the time of the Antonine Plague, it would've have been easy to confirm if this devastating disease was smallpox. What is the name given to the small aggregates in the cytoplasm of human cells affected by smallpox, which can be seen through a suitable microscope? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Vaccination could've saved a lot of lives if it was present during the Plague of Galen. The absence of vaccines contributed to its spread in the Roman Empire. Measles vaccine contains which of the following? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. I'm sure the Romans who succumbed to the deadly Plague of Galen would be resting in peace knowing that smallpox does not occur anymore on Earth. What is the term used for complete removal of a disease so that it never occurs anymore, anywhere? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. If the Plague of Galen was measles, treating mild cases would've have been possible even during that period of time. Which of the following would be the ideal method of treatment of a diagnosed case of uncomplicated measles? Hint





Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The Antonine Plague, a pandemic that occurred in the Roman Empire around 165 A.D. and caused a lot of death, is believed to have been caused by smallpox or measles. Smallpox is caused by a virus belonging to the family Poxviridae. Which family of viruses does the measles virus belong to?

Answer: Paramyxoviridae

Measles virus belongs to the family of viruses called Paramyxoviridae. The measles virus (MV) causes the disease measles, which is highly contagious and has only RNA as its genetic material, so is classified as an RNA virus.

The smallpox virus belongs to the family Poxviridae. Two strains of smallpox viruses cause smallpox - the variola major and the variola minor. Both these strains have only DNA as their genetic material and are thus classified as DNA viruses.
2. Galen, a physician, recorded that this pandemic caused symptoms like fever and diarrhea. Which other symptom is seen in both smallpox and measles, although the 'pattern' may be different?

Answer: Skin rashes

In smallpox, the disease would be characterized by fever, body pain, headache, and gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea and diarrhea. Later, rashes would begin starting in the mouth and then on the skin. The pattern of rash on the skin was not limited to a specific part of the body. It would spread to all parts of the body including the face.

In measles, the symptoms include fever, body pain, cold, headache and spots on the mouth, palate and nose. Typically, a rash would start on the face and then spread to the rest of the body. Diarrhea and dehydration is also common in cases of measles.
3. The Plague of Galen is said to have claimed the life of the Roman emperor, Lucius Verus. Many believe the plague that took his life was smallpox. A clinical type of smallpox was called black pox as there was bleeding under the skin making it looked charred. What is this highly fatal black pox also known as?

Answer: Hemorrhagic smallpox

Hemorrhagic smallpox or black pox is a type of small pox which causes bleeding into the skin and other parts. Sometimes, this bleeding would occur under the skin, giving it a charred and black appearance. Other types of small pox include malignant or flat smallpox.

Lucius Verus, a Roman emperor, died because of this pandemic in 169 A.D, after coming back from a battle along with lots of his statesmen.
4. If doctors who lived then had the knowledge we have today they might have been able to prove that the Plague of Galen was, in fact, measles. One of the characteristic signs of measles is temporary spots that appear inside the mouth during the course of the disease. What are these spots called?

Answer: Koplik's spots

Koplik's spots are characteristic of the disease measles. They are seen on the inside the mouth (including on the palate) during the early stage of the disease. They usually disappear by the time the rashes on the skin develop.

If only Henry Koplik, a pediatrician who identified the Koplik's spots in the late 1890s, had been present in the Roman Empire! We could've been sure it was measles and not smallpox!
5. There is much speculation about where and how the Plague of Galen began. It would have been clearer earlier if we knew whether animals were involved. Which of the following is true about the transmission of the smallpox or measles viruses from animals to humans?

Answer: No animals are known to have transmitted both measles and smallpox

There have been no recordings of smallpox or measles viruses being transmitted to humans by animals. In fact, measles does not have any known animal carriers. Smallpox was shown to infect animals only in a laboratory setting but no case was ever recorded as having been borne from an animal-human transmission mode.

Both smallpox and measles can be transmitted through contact and inhalation.
6. History would have had a different story to record if laboratories during the Roman Empire had cutting-edge technology like we have today. Which of the following are methods to diagnose measles in a clinical setup?

Answer: All them

A clinical examination and detailed history are important for the diagnosis of measles as some symptoms may be specific for the disease. Also, as this disease is highly contagious, it is also important to understand the contact history of the patient. Laboratory studies for the diagnosis of measles involve specimens from nasal swabs, saliva, urine, blood, etc.

A test for IgM antibodies against measles can be done for diagnosis. A PCR (polymerization chain reaction) test is a modern test that can be carried out to diagnose measles.
7. If there had been a modern microscope present in the Roman Empire during the time of the Antonine Plague, it would've have been easy to confirm if this devastating disease was smallpox. What is the name given to the small aggregates in the cytoplasm of human cells affected by smallpox, which can be seen through a suitable microscope?

Answer: Guarnieri bodies

The Guarnieri bodies were formed by proteins associated with the smallpox virus. These inclusions could be seen inside the cytoplasm of human cells that were affected by the virus. These cytoplasmic inclusions were characteristic of smallpox. These bodies are where the smallpox virus replicates.

These inclusions were present in the cells of most cases of smallpox and if the Roman Empire had a microscope with modern stains, they could've confirmed if the monstrous plague was smallpox.
8. Vaccination could've saved a lot of lives if it was present during the Plague of Galen. The absence of vaccines contributed to its spread in the Roman Empire. Measles vaccine contains which of the following?

Answer: Inactivated virus particles

The presence and spread of measles around the world has reduced with the advent of vaccines. Children are often vaccinated for measles, especially in developing countries. Vaccination against measles is usually given in conjugation with other vaccines for diseases like mumps and rubella. Measles vaccination can also be given separately. Measles vaccine is an attenuated vaccine, which contains inactivated forms of the virus.
9. I'm sure the Romans who succumbed to the deadly Plague of Galen would be resting in peace knowing that smallpox does not occur anymore on Earth. What is the term used for complete removal of a disease so that it never occurs anymore, anywhere?

Answer: Eradication

Smallpox was reported eradicated in the year 1979. Eradication of an infectious disease means that the agent causing the disease no longer occurs and there is no longer any active or subclinical case in the world. The eradication of the smallpox disease was a joint effort by all the leading health organizations in the world which included the WHO.

The smallpox virus is now present in only a few laboratories in the world for research purposes.
10. If the Plague of Galen was measles, treating mild cases would've have been possible even during that period of time. Which of the following would be the ideal method of treatment of a diagnosed case of uncomplicated measles?

Answer: Supportive therapy with hydration

The treatment for measles is mostly supportive therapy with adequate hydration. Fever can be reduced with drugs like paracetamol. These analgesics will also help with pain. There is no specific drug that cures measles and there is no need for surgery. Measles commonly occurs in children.
Source: Author Saleo

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor rossian before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
Related Quizzes
1. HIV - Fact or Fiction Easier
2. The Common Cold Easier
3. The Uncommon Cold Average
4. Viruses: Enemy of Humans Average
5. The World of Ebolaviruses Average
6. Hepatitis Viruses Average
7. Chicken Pox Average
8. Life is Like a Pox of Chocolates Average
9. Chickenpox Average
10. Warts Average
11. Viral Infections Average
12. Rubella Tough

3/28/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us