A 36-year-old man with two male sex partners in the past 6 weeks presents to the emergency department with symptoms of fever, malaise, anorexia, and jaundice. Laboratory studies subsequently confirm a diagnosis of acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. Which one of the following best describes the time frame when a person with HAV infection has peak shedding of the virus in stool and therefore is most likely to transmit this virus to others? During the 2-week period before the onset of the clinical symptoms During the 2- to 4-week period after the onset of the clinical symptoms During the 4- to 6-week period after the onset of the clinical symptoms During the 6- to 8-week period after the onset of the clinical symptoms.