Which viruses are primarily associated with transmission through infected blood or body fluids?

The viruses most prominently associated with transmission through infected blood or body fluids are Hepatitis B and C. Both of these viruses primarily spread through mechanisms that involve direct contact with infected blood, such as through sharing needles, blood transfusions, or sexual exposure.

Hepatitis B is particularly insidious, as it can survive outside the body for an extended period, making it possible to transmit even after a surface has been contaminated with infected fluids. It poses a significant public health risk due to its ability to cause chronic infections, leading to severe liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis C, while not as easily transmitted as Hepatitis B, shares similar routes of transmission, particularly through blood exposure. It has become a major concern in the context of intravenous drug use and in settings where medical equipment may be inadequately sterilized.

In contrast, other options present viruses that either have different transmission routes or are not primarily transmitted through blood or body fluids. For instance, while HIV is also transmitted through body fluids, HPV primarily spreads through sexual contact rather than fluids and does not share the same association with blood. Hepatitis A and E are primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated food or water.