Viral Infections USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 16-year-old boy presents with fever, jaundice, and right upper quadrant abdominal pain for 5 days. His ALT and AST are markedly elevated (3500 and 3200 IU/L respectively), and he is anti-HAV IgM positive. He reports consuming raw oysters 3 weeks ago. Which of the following best describes the expected course of his illness?
Answer choices
- AFulminant hepatic failure requiring immediate transplant evaluation
- BAcute, self-limited hepatitis with complete recovery and lifelong immunityCorrect answer
- CAsymptomatic chronic carrier state
- DPersistent viremia with relapsing hepatitis over months
- EChronic hepatitis with progressive cirrhosis
- FAcute hepatitis with development of autoimmune hepatitis requiring long-term corticosteroid therapy
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