Which hepatitis virus is not associated with chronic liver disease?

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route and is associated with acute liver inflammation. Unlike hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV), and D (HDV), HAV typically does not lead to chronic liver disease. Most individuals who contract hepatitis A recover fully within a few weeks to months without any long-term liver damage.

Chronic liver disease is a significant concern with hepatitis B and C, as these viruses can persist in the liver and lead to long-term complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis D can only occur in individuals who are already infected with hepatitis B, and it too may contribute to chronic liver issues. However, hepatitis A clears the infection completely in the vast majority of cases and does not establish chronic infections, making it distinct from the other hepatitis viruses in this context.