Virology: hepatitis A: practice question

A Microbiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Microbiology · Virology: hepatitis A

Sample item

Several students in a hostel develop fever, anorexia and jaundice after a common mess meal, and all recover within weeks. Which serological marker best confirms acute infection in the index student?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. IgM anti-HAV

Hepatitis A is a picornavirus spread by the faecal-oral route and does not produce chronic infection. IgM anti-HAV appears at onset of symptoms and indicates acute infection, whereas IgG persists for life after infection or vaccination.

Option by option

  • A. IgM anti-HAV (correct)

    Correct. IgM anti-HAV indicates current or very recent hepatitis A.

  • B. IgG anti-HAV

    IgG anti-HAV remains positive after past infection or vaccination and does not date the illness.

  • C. HBsAg

    HBsAg indicates hepatitis B, which is not spread through a shared meal.

  • D. Anti-HCV antibody

    Anti-HCV would point to hepatitis C, a blood-borne infection.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, IgM anti-HAV. Hepatitis A is a picornavirus spread by the faecal-oral route and does not produce chronic infection.

Why is "IgG anti-HAV" not the answer?

IgG anti-HAV remains positive after past infection or vaccination and does not date the illness.

Why is "HBsAg" not the answer?

HBsAg indicates hepatitis B, which is not spread through a shared meal.

Why is "Anti-HCV antibody" not the answer?

Anti-HCV would point to hepatitis C, a blood-borne infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Virology: hepatitis A in Microbiology. IgM anti-HAV appears at onset of symptoms and indicates acute infection, whereas IgG persists for life after infection or vaccination.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Virology: hepatitis A?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.