Veneral diseases can spread through :

(a) Using sterile needles

(b) Transfusion of blood from infected person

(c) Infected mother to foetus

(d) Kissing

(e) Inheritance

Choose the correct answer from the option given below.

Veneral (venereal) diseases are infections that are primarily transmitted through sexual contact or related bodily fluids. To determine which of the listed modes can actually spread these infections, we examine each option:

(a) Using sterile needles – Sterile needles do **not** carry infectious agents because they have been properly cleaned and decontaminated. Therefore, they cannot transmit venereal diseases.

(b) Transfusion of blood from infected person – Blood transfusion can introduce the pathogens present in the donor’s blood into the recipient’s circulation. Some venereal diseases, such as syphilis and HIV, are known to be transmissible through contaminated blood. Hence, this mode **can** spread venereal diseases.

(c) Infected mother to foetus – Vertical transmission from an infected mother to her unborn child (through the placenta or during childbirth) is a recognized route for several venereal infections, including syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B. Thus, this mode **can** spread venereal diseases.

(d) Kissing – While saliva can carry certain pathogens, most venereal diseases require mucosal contact with genital secretions or blood. Kissing is not a typical transmission route for these infections, so it does **not** spread venereal diseases.

(e) Inheritance – Genetic inheritance involves passing DNA from parents to offspring and does not convey infectious agents. Venereal diseases are not inherited traits, so this option is invalid.

By eliminating the options that cannot transmit venereal diseases ((a), (d), and (e)), we are left with the valid modes: (b) transfusion of infected blood and (c) mother‑to‑foetus transmission.

Therefore, the correct answer is **(b) and (c) only**.