Which statement about hepatitis is correct?

Which statement about hepatitis is correct?

• A. Hepatitis A is frequently spread by sexual contact.
• B. Hepatitis C increases a person's risk for liver cancer.
• C. Infection with hepatitis G is similar to hepatitis C.
• D. Hepatitis B is transmitted primarily by the oral-fecal route.

Answer: (B)

Chronic hepatitis C infection is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma because the virus causes ongoing liver inflammation that over years leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis, and cirrhosis greatly increases the risk of liver cancer. This connection is well established, making the statement about hepatitis C elevating liver cancer risk the most accurate and clinically relevant one. Hepatitis A, by contrast, is typically an acute illness transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often from contaminated food or water, not primarily through sexual contact. Hepatitis G (GBV-C) is not known for a strong, established link to liver cancer in the way hepatitis C is. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, including sexual contact, rather than being primarily oral-fecal in route; while chronic hepatitis B can also increase liver cancer risk, the description of its transmission makes that option less precise.

Chronic hepatitis C infection is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma because the virus causes ongoing liver inflammation that over years leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis, and cirrhosis greatly increases the risk of liver cancer. This connection is well established, making the statement about hepatitis C elevating liver cancer risk the most accurate and clinically relevant one.

Hepatitis A, by contrast, is typically an acute illness transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often from contaminated food or water, not primarily through sexual contact. Hepatitis G (GBV-C) is not known for a strong, established link to liver cancer in the way hepatitis C is. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, including sexual contact, rather than being primarily oral-fecal in route; while chronic hepatitis B can also increase liver cancer risk, the description of its transmission makes that option less precise.