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Previous Test Your Health IQ Questions

wash your hands Be a germ stopper. How long should you wash your hands with soap and warm water?
  1. 5- 10 seconds
  2. 15 -20 seconds
  3. 5-7 minutes
  4. 1 hour

Answer Answer

Answer: B, Practice good health habits by cleaning your hands with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds. A good trick is to sing the Happy Birthday song while you wash your hands. Alcohol-based gel and wipes are also effective.

Close Answer

sick child in bed coloring True or False: You can infect others with the flu even before you know you are sick.

Answer Answer

Answer: True. You may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms of the flu and up to 5 days after getting sick. The best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

Close Answer

Woman with the flu It's time to get vaccinated for seasonal flu. On average, what percentage of the US population becomes infected with seasonal influenza each year?
  1. Under 5%
  2. 5-10%
  3. 5-20%
  4. Over 20%

Answer Answer

Answer: Influenza infects an average of 5-20% of the US population each year. On average, over 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die of influenza or its complications each year. Learn more about seasonal flu.

Close Answer

got the flu? You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer Answer

Answer: True. You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Learn more about seasonal flu.

Close Answer

Bacillus Anthracis What is it?

Answer Answer

Answer:
This is a microscopic image of Bacillus Anthracis. Anthrax is an infections disease caused by spores of this bacterium. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic mammalian species, but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals or to tissue from infected animals or when anthrax spores are used as a bioterrorist weapon. Learn more>>

Close Answer

the man biking Adults, how much aerobic physical activity do you need a week?
  1. 20 minutes of vigorous activity
  2. 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity
  3. 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity
  4. 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity

Answer Answer

Answer: B and D. Any physical activity is beneficial.
The Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that most adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week.

Close Answer

image of milk, cheeses, and butter Which of the following contains more calcium?
  1. Skim milk (8 oz)
  2. Cheddar cheese (1½ oz)
  3. Cottage cheese (2 cups)
  4. Low fat yogurt (8 oz)

Answer Answer

Answer: All of these are good sources of calcium.
Cheddar cheese has the most with 306 mg of calcium. The skim milk has 302 mg of calcium, yogurt has 300mg, and cottage cheese has 276 mg of calcium. Learn more about eating for strong bones.

Close Answer

heart Which of the following can help prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke?
  1. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly
  2. Reducing stress
  3. Controlling your weight
  4. All of the Above

Answer Answer

Answer: D.
All of the above are effective ways to help prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke. Learn more about heart risk factors in honor of World Heart Day.

Close Answer

Illustration: double helix Sickle Cell Disease affects different people in different ways, but almost always includes pain.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer Answer

Answer: A. True
A pain "episode" or "crisis" is the most common symptom of sickle cell disease, and it's the top reason that people with the disease go to the hospital. When sickle cells travel through small blood vessels, they can get stuck and clog the blood flow. This causes pain that can start suddenly, be mild to severe, and last for any length of time. Learn more about Sickle Cell Disease

Close Answer

ear image What sounds can hurt your hearing, if you are around them too long?
  1. Boom Box
  2. Jet Engine
  3. Fire Engine
  4. All of the Above

Answer Answer

Answer: D. All of the Above
When we are exposed to harmful noise—sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time—sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Learn how to protect your hearing.

Close Answer

Summer Olympics, Beijing 2008 Olympic athletes burn copious calories during competition. Which of these sports, when played recreationally, burns the most calories?
  1. Basketball
  2. Bicycling
  3. Swimming

Answer Answer

Answer: B. Bicycling
Bicycling at more than 10 mph burns 590 calories in an hour. Swimming slow freestyle burns 510 calories/hour; basketball burns 440 calories/hour. Calories/Hour Table>>

Close Answer

picture of ragweed, a common cause of hay fever What age group has the highest number of hay fever sufferers?
  1. 0-4 years
  2. 5-9 years
  3. 10-17 years

Answer Answer

Answer: C. 10-17 years
During 2003--2005, the percentage of children with hay fever increased with age; children aged 10--17 years were nearly three times as likely to have hay fever than children aged 0--4 years.

Close Answer

child's feet on a scale Which of these is associated with increased weight in children?
  1. Sleep Apnea
  2. Type 2 Diabetes
  3. Asthma
  4. High Blood Pressure
  5. All of the above

Answer Answer

Answer: E. All of the above
Learn what you can do to prevent childhood overweight.

Close Answer

Close up of a woman's eye By age 80,         of all people in the United States either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
  1. More than half
  2. Half
  3. Less than half

Answer Answer

Answer: A
Cataracts, which cause clouding of the lens in your eye, are very common in older people.

Close Answer

Premature baby Group B strep infection, which is carried by one in four women, will
  1. Not pass to an infant during labor and delivery.
  2. Have no effect in pregnant women.
  3. Possibly cause newborns to develop meningitis, sepsis, or pneumonia.
  4. Not cause any type of long-term problems to newborns.

Answer Answer

Answer: C
Newborns can develop meningitis, sepsis, or pneumonia, and even die from this extreme infection. Group B strep is the leading cause of life-threatening infection in newborn infants.

Close Answer

A bottle of sunscreen True or False: You need to reapply sunscreen after going swimming
  • True
  • False

Answer Answer

True
Sunscreens wear off and become less effective with time. The reapplication frequency is a related to your outdoor activities. Consumers who swim while wearing sunscreen need to reapply the sunscreen more frequently. In general, more frequent reapplication is associated with decreased absorption of solar radiation. Learn More>>

Close Answer

Kids riding bikes What side of the road should you ride your bike?
  1. Middle
  2. Left side
  3. Right side
  4. Anywhere

Answer Answer

Answer: C
You should always ride your bike on the right with the traffic flow.

Close Answer

Fireworks What group has the highest rate around the 4th of July for fireworks-related injuries?
  1. Teens ages 15 - 18 years
  2. Children ages 10 - 14 years
  3. Children ages 6 - 9 years
  4. Adults above the age of 18 years

Answer Answer

Answer: B
The safest way to prevent fireworks-related injuries is to leave fireworks displays to trained professionals.

Close Answer

Curved spinal column A curved spine, or backbone, is symptomatic of what disorder?
  1. Osteoporosis
  2. Rickets
  3. Scoliosis
  4. Herniated Disk

Answer Answer

Answer: C
The most common type is idiopathic scoliosis in children aged 10-12 and in their early teens.

Close Answer

A young boy receiving an eye exam Your child's vision should be checked by a trained eye specialist at what age?
  1. Newborn to 3 months
  2. 6 months to 1 year
  3. About 3 years
  4. About 5 years
  5. All of the above

Answer Answer

Answer: E
Having your child's vision checked is especially important if someone in your family has had vision problems.

Close Answer

Celiac disease poster showing woman, child, DNA double helix and wheat. People who can't eat gluten, a protein in grains, have what disease?
  1. Diabetes
  2. Celiac
  3. Crohn's
  4. Colitis

Answer Answer

Answer: B
Having celiac disease means a person can't tolerate foods or medicines containing wheat, rye, or barley.

Close Answer

food on the grill, with thermometer in steak Which of these barbeque food safety tips are true?
  1. Keep raw food separate from cooked food
  2. Refrigerate and freeze food promptly
  3. Marinate food on the counter
  4. Wash hands before cooking

Answer Answer

Answer: A, B, and D.
C is incorrect. Always marinate food in the refrigerator. More tips to prevent foodborne illness.

Close Answer

Arthritic hands How can arthritis sufferers reduce damage and feel better?
  1. Exercise
  2. Keep weight down
  3. Warm showers
  4. All of the above

Answer Answer

Answer: D
Arthritis can damage your joints, internal organs, and skin, but there are ways to keep the damage from getting worse. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Pills poured from pill bottle Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, such as colds, coughs and the flu.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer Answer

Answer: A
Antibiotics are meant to be used against bacterial infections, such as strep throat or skin infections. Misuse or overuse can lead to antibiotic resistance.

Close Answer

Boy using inhaler device How many Americans are hospitalized each year with asthma-related symptoms?
  1. 200,000
  2. 300,000
  3. 400,000
  4. 500,000

Answer Answer

Answer: D
An average of 504,000 Americans are hospitalized annually for asthma-related symptoms. May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Cocktail and keys How many people are estimated to have driven under the influence last year?
  1. 5 million
  2. 10 million
  3. 20 million
  4. 30 million

Answer Answer

Answer: D
Nationwide, an estimated 30.5 million people aged 12 or older drove under the influence of alcohol at least once in the past year, according to SAMHSA. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Woman breaking cigarette How many people have called 1-800-QUIT-NOW to quit smoking?
  1. 250,000
  2. 500,000
  3. 750,000
  4. 1 million

Answer Answer

Answer: D
More than 1 million people have called 1-800-QUIT-NOW since it was established in 2004. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Woman measuring her waist Excess fat in which body area may increase the risk of death in women?
  1. Arms
  2. Hips
  3. Belly
  4. Back

Answer Answer

Answer: C
Women who carry excess fat around their waists are at greater risk of dying early from cancer or heart disease. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Garlic cloves Using garlic as a dietary supplement may result in what?
  1. Loss of appetite
  2. Thinning blood
  3. Loss of friends
  4. Thinning hair

Answer Answer

Answer: B
Limit its use prior to undergoing surgery or dental work, and if you have a blood disorder. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Boy on climbing equipment On public playgrounds, where do most injuries occur?
  1. Swings
  2. Hop-scotch
  3. Climbers
  4. Seesaws

Answer Answer

Answer: C
On the playground, climbing equipment causes the most injuries. At home, swings are the culprit. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Graphic illustration showing veins in the body Being confined to one spot for too long could cause which condition?
  1. Diabetes
  2. Deep Vein Thrombosis
  3. Epilepsy
  4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Answer Answer

Answer: B
DVT occurs in approximately 2 million Americans each year. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Carbon monoxide detector How many people are killed each year by non-fire-related carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning?
  1. 300
  2. 400
  3. 500
  4. 700

Answer Answer

Answer: C
CO poisoning kills about 500 Americans and poisons at least 15,000 each year. Get a detector and check the batteries regularly. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Illustration of people yawning How many people say they're getting enough sleep?
  1. One in three
  2. One in five
  3. One in ten
  4. None

Answer Answer

Answer: A
Only one in three (29.6 percent) adults say they got enough rest or sleep in the past month, according to a recent CDC study. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Baby girl sleeping on her back How should babies be positioned when putting them down to sleep?
  1. On bellies
  2. On backs
  3. On sides
  4. Whichever they prefer

Answer Answer

Answer: B
Babies should be placed on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Learn more>>

Illustration of inner and outer ear Presbycusis commonly affects people over 50. What is it?
  1. Hearing loss
  2. Impotence
  3. Arthritis
  4. Vision loss

Answer Answer

Answer: A
Presbycusis may make it hard for a person to tolerate loud sounds or to hear what others are saying. Learn more about hearing loss>>

Close Answer

Close Answer

Artist's drawing of a stomach Almost everyone suffers at some time from heartburn. What causes the burning sensation?
  1. Lactic acid
  2. Amino acid
  3. Stomach acid
  4. Muscle spasm

Answer Answer

Answer: C
The painful, burning feeling in the chest is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. Learn more>>

Close Answer

Bone showing decreased density caused by osteoporosis. The condition shown here might make you feel empty inside. What is it?
  1. Osteoporosis
  2. Depression
  3. Thinning hair
  4. Anemia

Answer Answer

Answer: A
Osteoporosis leaves bones porous and weak, but it is preventable. Learn how you can protect your bones.>>

Answer: D
In a healthy adult it takes about 60 seconds for blood to circulate. February is American Heart Month.
Learn more about your heart>>

Close Answer

Illustration of a human heart How long does it take for blood to cycle through your body?
  1. About 4 minutes
  2. About 3 minutes
  3. About 2 minutes
  4. About 60 seconds

Answer Answer

Answer: D
In a healthy adult it takes about 60 seconds for blood to circulate. February is American Heart Month.
Learn more about your heart>>

Close Answer

Clogged blood vessel The condition shown here is a potential heart-stopper. What is it?
  1. Deep bruise
  2. Dirty contact lens
  3. Red blood cell
  4. Clogged blood vessel

Answer Answer

Answer: D
Cholesterol deposits in the walls of blood vessels begin a process called atherosclerosis, which can lead to blockage and cause a heart attack.
Learn About Blood Cholesterol>>

Close Answer

Aedes mosquito Dengue, a potentially deadly flu-like illness spread by mosquitoes, is a potential threat to U.S. public health.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer Answer

Answer: A
The viral disease most common in the tropics is an increasing problem on the U.S.-Mexico border and in Puerto Rico.
Learn More>>
About Dengue Fever>>

Close Answer

Large boy bullying a smaller boy. What is an example of bullying by young people?
  1. Physically hurting others
  2. Spreading nasty rumors
  3. Sending mean text messages
  4. All of the above

Answer Answer

Answer: D
There are many ways that young people bully each other, even if they don't realize it at the time. Learn More>>

Close Answer

Two boys as seen through vision of a person with glaucoma Who is at higher risk for glaucoma, which may lead to vision loss?
  1. African Americans over 40
  2. Everyone over 60
  3. People with a family history
  4. All of the above

Answer Answer

Answer: D
Anyone can develop glaucoma. The groups above are at higher risk than others. Learn More>>

Close Answer

Wrapped gifts How can families manage stress levels during the holidays?
  1. Maintain routines
  2. Set schedules
  3. Budget for gifts
  4. All of the above

Answer Answer

Answer: D
To make this holiday season a happy and peaceful one, look for healthy ways to manage stress.
Learn More>>

Close Answer

Car stranded in snow Which shouldn't you do if you're stranded in your car in a winter storm?
  1. Huddle with others
  2. Eat snow
  3. Wrap head-to-toe in blankets
  4. Stay awake

Answer Answer

Answer: B
Don't eat unmelted snow. It will lower your body temperature.
More Winter Safety Tips>>

Close Answer

Man walking in snow What are the warning signs of hypothermia in adults?
  1. Drowsiness
  2. Slurred speech
  3. Confusion
  4. All of the above

Answer Answer

Answer: D
Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body's stored energy. The dangerous result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Learn More>>

Close Answer

Skyline showing ozone, or pollution Which body type is particularly susceptible to ozone exposure?
  • A - Thin
  • B - Tall
  • C - Heavy
  • D - Petite

Answer Answer

Answer: C
A new study provides the first evidence that people with higher body mass index (BMI) may have a greater response to ozone than leaner people. Learn More>> | Your BMI>>

Close Answer

Cigarette butts in ashtray Breathtaking picture: what is it?

Answer Answer

Answer: A Cigarette
In 2006, 45 million Americans smoked, greatly increasing their likelihood of dying from lung, heart or other smoking-related diseases. Be strong; be a quitter.
How to Quit>>
Quit Line: 800-QUIT-NOW

Close Answer

Crowd of people Of the 20 million Americans who have diabetes, how many don't know it?
  • A - 2 million
  • B - 3 million
  • C - 5 million
  • D - 6 million

Answer Answer

Answer: D
Over 6 million don't know they have the disease, which increases their risk of stroke, kidney failure and blindness. November is American Diabetes Month
Learn More About Diabetes>>

Close Answer

Hand holding pills The FDA announced labeling revisions for a class of erectile dysfunction drugs. What possible side-effect prompted the move?
  • A - Numb joints
  • B - Hearing loss
  • C - Upset stomach
  • D - Headache

Answer Answer

Answer: B
Labels on the leading brands of erectile dysfunction drugs will display more prominently the potential risk of sudden hearing loss.
Read more>>

Close Answer

Vial containing flu vaccine It's time to get vaccinated for seasonal flu. How many hospitalizations occur each year from flu complications?
  • A - 50,000
  • B - 100,000
  • C - 150,000
  • D - 200,000

Answer Answer

Answer: D
Seasonal flu annually sends more than 200,000 to the hospital. Up to one in five get the flu each year, and 36,000 people die from complications.
Read more>>

Close Answer

Woman's hand holding tobacco product On a given day in 2006, how many adolescents ages 12-17 used marijuana for the first time?
  • 1,200
  • 1,700
  • 2,500
  • 3,600

Answer Answer

Answer: 3,600
A new report on substance abuse by American adolescents also revealed 1.2 million teens smoked cigarettes, 631,000 drank, and 586,000 used marijuana on an average day.
Read more>>

Close Answer

Microscopic image of Salmonella invading human cells. This image is related to at least 20 hospitalizations in 31 states since January 1. What is it?

Answer Answer

Answer: Salmonella invading human cells.
Public health officials across the U.S. are probing an ongoing outbreak of Salmonella, which may be linked to eating a brand of pot pies.
Learn more about it>>

Close Answer

Smallpox lesions on a patient The last U.S. case of smallpox was in 1949. The last naturally occurring case in the world was in 1977. Where did it occur?
  • Brazil
  • Somalia
  • Nepal
  • Cambodia

Answer Answer

Answer: Somalia.
The world's last patient with smallpox was a hospital cook in Merka, Somalia, on October 26, 1977.
Read more about the 30-year anniversary of smallpox eradication>>

Close Answer

This is something related to health.  Do you know what it is? This is something related to health. Do you know what it is?

Answer Answer

Answer: Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA
DNA is the molecule that contains the genetic code for all life forms except for a few viruses. It consists of two long, twisted chains made up of nucleotide bases, often referred to as a double helix, as shown in the accompanying image. Researchers are using genetic research to figure out how being healthy and being sick are different at the level of molecules. And doctors are starting to use this information to make treatment choices.
Learn more in Genes Are Us>>

Close Answer

  Which of the following can be a result of raised cholesterol levels?
  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Lung Cancer
  • Poor Eyesight

Answer Answer

Answer: Heart Disease
High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease. It is important for men, women, and children of all ages to be aware of their cholesterol levels and should be checked regularly by a physician. About 17% of adult Americans aged 20 years and older have high cholesterol (240mg/dL or above), so before you decide to eat that bran muffin or fry those eggs for breakfast,
Learn More>>

Close Answer

collage showing sad people, pills, and beer mugs People who experience a psychological disorder or substance abuse problem are at greater risk for suicide.
  • True
  • False

Answer Answer

Answer: True
More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have one of these risk factors. (National Institute of Mental Health. Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention)

Close Answer

a close-up picture of something related to health issues This is a close-up picture of something related to health issues. What is it?

Answer Answer

Answer: A basketball being dribbled on a court

Keeping youth active, whether in team sports, such as basketball, or by themselves, helps keep weight under control and sets a life-style pattern that can carry into adulthood.
Learn more about weight and exercise>>

Close Answer

vaccine vial with syringe When added to a vaccine, what does an adjuvant do?
  1. Speeds up enzymes within the body.
  2. Instantly sterilizes the vaccine.
  3. Increases the immune system's production of antibodies.
  4. Creates blood clots

Answer Answer

Answer: c. Increases the immune system's production of antibodies.
An adjuvant can increase the body's immune response to a vaccine's active ingredient. The successful addition of an adjuvant means that a given supply of vaccine can be stretched to treat more people. Research into an adjuvant for a human vaccine against H5N1 influenza is important because there will likely be a limited supply of vaccine to protect against an influenza pandemic.
Read more about Vaccines and Adjuvants for human H5N1 influenza

Close Answer

mosquito What is it?
This is a close-up of something related to health. Do you know what it is?

Answer Answer

Answer: A mosquito.
The Anopheles mosquito, shown here, can carry the parasite that causes malaria. When an infected mosquito bites a human, it injects saliva that contains the infectious form of the parasite into a person's bloodstream. Malaria symptoms are high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness. Bed nets, insecticides, and antimalarial drugs are effective tools to fight malaria in areas where it is transmitted. The disease is mostly a problem in developing countries with warm climates, with 85 percent of yearly deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.
World map showing regions with malaria
Read more about malaria

Close Answer

E. coli How can people become infected with E. coli?
  1. By vigorously washing their hands.
  2. By working past normal office hours.
  3. Through contact with cows.
  4. By eating undercooked ground beef.

Answer Answer

Answer: The answer is d. By eating undercooked ground beef.
Though most illness has been associated with eating undercooked, contaminated ground beef, people have also become ill from eating contaminated bean sprouts or fresh leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach. In addition, infection can occur after drinking raw milk and after swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water. Consumers can prevent E. coli O157:H7 infection by thoroughly cooking ground beef, avoiding unpasteurized milk, and by washing hands carefully before preparing or eating food.
Read more about E. coli

Close Answer

Health IQ image What is it?
This is a close-up of something related to health.
Do you know what it is?

Answer Answer

Answer: A Tick.
Commonly found outdoors in wooded areas, ticks seek animals and people to bite. Ticks carry many diseases, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia, and Babesiosis. Some species of ticks can be the size of a pinhead, making it difficult to spot them. Fortunately, there are many tactics to prevent tick bites and reduce your risk of tick-borne disease.
Read more about stopping tick bites.

Close Answer