Which of the following is a potential complication of untreated hepatitis B or C?

• A. Liver failure
• B. Hair loss
• C. Cough
• D. Nausea

Answer: (A)

Chronic hepatitis B or C can progressively damage the liver, leading to liver failure. The viruses cause ongoing inflammation that over time builds scar tissue and can progress to cirrhosis. When enough functional liver tissue is lost, the organ can no longer perform essential tasks like detoxification, producing clotting factors, or regulating fluids, which defines liver failure. This is a serious, potential outcome of untreated infection. Nausea can occur with liver inflammation, but it’s more of a symptom than a progression to a severe complication, while hair loss or a cough aren’t typical complications of hepatitis B or C. The key point is that unchecked infection can advance to liver failure rather than remaining as isolated, nonspecific symptoms.