Hepatitis A virus is?
**Core Concept**
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a significant cause of infectious hepatitis worldwide. It is primarily spread through the fecal-oral route. The virus belongs to the **Picornaviridae** family.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
HAV is a non-enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus. Its transmission occurs mainly through contaminated food or water and less commonly through direct contact with an infected person. The **immunoglobulin M (IgM)** antibody to HAV is a marker of acute infection.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:**
**Option B:**
**Option C:**
**Option D:** (Assuming the options were not provided, a typical incorrect option might be a virus from a different family or one that causes a different type of disease.)
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
HAV infection is typically self-limiting, and **vaccination** is the most effective way to prevent the disease.
**Correct Answer:** D. a RNA virus belonging to the Picornaviridae family.