Regarding infectivity of hepatitis A in relation to jaundice, faecal shedding of the virus is maximum:

• A During the first week of jaundice
• B Uniformly throughout the entire illness until full recovery
• C Three to four weeks after resolution of jaundice
• D One to two weeks before the onset of jaundice ✓

Explanation

Faecal excretion of hepatitis A virus reaches its peak in the late incubation period, one to two weeks before the onset of jaundice, and declines sharply once jaundice appears. By the time the patient looks obviously ill and gets isolated, much of the transmission has already occurred, which explains why isolation measures have limited impact on hepatitis A outbreaks. Anti-HAV IgM is detectable at the onset of symptoms and confirms recent infection.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.