Which virus can lead to severe liver disease and is transmitted through blood?

The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is known to specifically cause severe liver disease and is primarily transmitted through blood, as well as other bodily fluids. This virus can lead to serious health complications such as chronic liver disease, liver failure, and liver cancer due to its capability of persisting in the host's liver and causing long-term damage. Understanding the transmission routes is key; HBV can spread through activities like sharing needles, unprotected sexual contact, and from mother to child during childbirth. This transmission through blood makes HBV a significant concern in health care and public health settings.

In contrast, Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is transmitted primarily through contaminated food and water, not blood, hence it does not lead to chronic liver disease in the same way HBV does. The Influenza Virus and Rhinovirus are both respiratory viruses, affecting the upper respiratory tract, and are not linked to liver disease or blood transmission. This distinction highlights the unique risks associated with HBV compared to other viral infections.