Which of the following hepatitis viruses is transmitted primarily through the fecal-oral route and does NOT cause chronic infection?

Explanation

## Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) — Fecal-Oral Transmission **Key Point:** Hepatitis A virus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and causes acute, self-limited hepatitis. It does NOT establish chronic infection. ### Virology & Transmission - **Genome:** Non-enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus (Picornavirus family) - **Route:** Fecal-oral (contaminated food/water) - **Incubation period:** 15–50 days (average 28–30 days) - **Viremia duration:** Brief; virus shed in stool 2 weeks before to 1 week after jaundice onset ### Clinical Course | Feature | HAV | |---------|-----| | **Acute hepatitis** | Yes, self-limited | | **Chronic infection** | No (0% chronicity) | | **Fulminant failure** | Rare (<0.1%) | | **Cirrhosis** | Does not occur | | **Immunity** | Lifelong after infection or vaccination | **High-Yield:** HAV is the only hepatitis virus among A, B, C, D, E that does NOT cause chronic infection. Patients recover completely with no risk of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. **Mnemonic:** **FACE** — Fecal-oral, Acute only, Clears completely, Excellent prognosis. **Clinical Pearl:** HAV IgM indicates acute/recent infection; HAV IgG indicates past infection or immunity. No chronic carrier state exists.