What can the long-term effects of Hepatitis B include?

The long-term effects of Hepatitis B can include serious complications, most notably cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can lead to both acute and chronic health issues. When the infection becomes chronic, it can cause ongoing liver inflammation and damage. Over time, this damage can lead to the development of cirrhosis, which is the scarring of the liver tissue. This scarring disrupts the liver's normal function and can eventually lead to liver failure.

In addition to cirrhosis, individuals with chronic Hepatitis B are at a significantly increased risk of developing liver cancer, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma. The link between chronic Hepatitis B infection and liver cancer is well established, and the risk increases with the duration of the infection and the severity of liver damage.

While mild liver inflammation can occur, it typically does not represent the full spectrum of potential long-term consequences associated with the disease. Similarly, joint pain and swelling, as well as high blood pressure, are not direct consequences of Hepatitis B itself but rather symptoms that can arise from various other conditions. Thus, cirrhosis and liver cancer are the significant long-term risks that make this choice the most accurate concerning