Hepatitis B can lead to what serious long-term health risks?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver and can have severe long-term health implications. One of the most significant risks associated with chronic Hepatitis B infection is the development of cirrhosis, which is the scarring of the liver tissue due to long-term liver damage. This can disrupt liver function and lead to serious health problems.

Additionally, chronic Hepatitis B infection is a well-known risk factor for liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma. The continuous inflammation caused by the virus can lead to mutations and cancerous changes in liver cells. This association is documented in numerous studies and is significant enough that chronic Hepatitis B carriers are regularly monitored for liver cancer as part of their medical care.

The other options do not capture the predominant and clinically significant long-term risks associated with Hepatitis B. While autoimmune disorders and neurological deficits can be serious health issues, they are not the primary concerns arising directly from Hepatitis B infection in the same way that cirrhosis and liver cancer are. Chronic infections are certainly a concern but fail to encompass the full extent of the critical health risks that affect long-term outcomes for individuals with Hepatitis B.