What is the incubation period for Hepatitis A?

• A. 2 to 6 weeks
• B. 1 to 3 days
• C. 2 to 4 months
• D. 6 to 12 hours

Answer: (A)

Incubation period is the interval from exposure to the onset of symptoms. For Hepatitis A, this interval is typically about 2 to 6 weeks, reflecting the time needed for the virus to replicate in the liver and for clinical symptoms like fever, malaise, and jaundice to appear. Some sources describe roughly 15 to 50 days, which fits within this broad range and is commonly summarized as 2 to 6 weeks in exam questions. The other timeframes—1 to 3 days, 2 to 4 months, or 6 to 12 hours—are not consistent with how HAV infection develops, since symptoms take several days to weeks to manifest after exposure.