Which condition is a viral illness that causes inflammation of the liver?

• A. Hepatitis C
• B. Gastroenteritis
• C. Hernia
• D. Hydronephrosis

Answer: (A)

Inflammation of the liver caused by a virus is hepatitis, and among these options, hepatitis C is the viral illness that directly targets the liver. It is typically transmitted through blood and can be acute or become chronic, with chronic infection risking liver scarring (fibrosis), cirrhosis, and even liver cancer if not treated. The other options involve different organs or conditions: gastroenteritis affects the stomach and intestines and presents with vomiting and diarrhea; a hernia is a protrusion of tissue through a weakness in the abdominal wall; hydronephrosis is swelling of the kidney due to urine backup. Therefore, hepatitis C best fits the description of a viral illness that causes liver inflammation.