A 30-year-old woman presents with jaundice and malaise of one week. She reports a tattoo done two months ago. Serology shows HBsAg negative, anti-HBs negative, HBeAg negative, and IgM anti-HBc strongly positive. Which phase of hepatitis B infection does this represent?

• A Early incubation period
• B Chronic carrier state
• C Recovery phase with immunity
• D Window period of acute infection ✓

Explanation

In the window period, HBsAg has fallen below detectable levels but protective anti-HBs has not yet appeared, while IgM anti-HBc is present and marks ongoing acute infection. In early incubation, HBsAg itself is the first marker to appear, so a negative HBsAg excludes it. Recovery shows both anti-HBs and anti-HBc (usually IgG), and a chronic carrier would have persistent HBsAg positivity.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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