A 25-Year-Old Man Is Hospitalized with Fever, Anorexia, and Fatigue

A 25-year-old man is hospitalized with fever, anorexia, and fatigue.  He admits to IV drug abuse and many episodes of unprotected sex over the past few years.  His condition is treated and he is discharged from the hospital.  The patient follows up with his physician regularly over the next 8 months, and the following serologic marker dynamics are obtained (see the graph below) . *Grey bars indicate the detectable presence of the specified serum marker.This patient most likely:

A) Had acute hepatitis B and has successfully recovered
B) Had an exacerbation of preexisting hepatitis B
C) Had acute hepatitis B that has progressed to chronic hepatitis with low infectivity
D) Had acute hepatitis B that has progressed to chronic hepatitis with high infectivity
E) Was vaccinated against HBV during the hospitalization

Correct Answer:

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