A commercial fisherman reports a past episode of hepatitis from which he fully recovered, with no chronic sequelae and no carrier state. Which type of viral hepatitis is MOST consistent with this history?

Correct answer: D. Hepatitis A

• A. Hepatitis C is bloodborne and is the most likely of all to become chronic — historically around 75–85% of acute infections persisted. Spontaneous complete clearance is the exception, not the rule.
• B. Hepatitis D is a defective virus that can only infect in the presence of hepatitis B, so it cannot explain an isolated resolved episode.
• C. Hepatitis B is bloodborne and sexually transmitted, and progresses to chronic infection in roughly 5–10% of infected adults, creating a carrier state. It does not fit a history of complete resolution with certainty, and the fisherman's exposure is not a B risk factor.
• D. CORRECT. HEPATITIS A is transmitted by the FAECAL–ORAL route, classically through contaminated water and raw or undercooked SHELLFISH — an occupational and dietary exposure for someone who works the water. Its defining feature is that it causes an acute, self-limiting illness with NO chronic carrier state; recovery confers lifelong immunity. The occupation and the complete resolution together point to A.

Note: Sort the hepatitides by route: A and E are FAECAL–ORAL and acute only (E is dangerous in pregnancy); B, C and D are BLOODBORNE and can become chronic. For dental infection control the concern is B and C, and hepatitis B is the one with an effective vaccine.