What viral disease causes liver swelling and has an acute and chronic form, with health care workers at an elevated risk?

The disease characterized by liver swelling and the potential for both acute and chronic forms is hepatitis, specifically hepatitis B. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects the liver and can lead to both acute infection, which may resolve on its own, and chronic infection, which can persist for years and may result in serious health complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Healthcare workers are at an elevated risk of HBV due to their exposure to blood and bodily fluids, which can occur during procedures, needlestick injuries, or when handling contaminated materials, making vaccination against HBV crucial for this population.

Hepatitis A is primarily spread through contaminated food and water and typically results in an acute illness without long-term liver damage. Hepatitis C, while also affecting the liver and having chronic forms, does not present the same level of risk through occupational exposure as HBV does. AIDS, caused by the HIV virus, affects the immune system but is not primarily a liver disease; hence it does not fit the description of liver swelling in the context of this question.

Therefore, given its specific association with liver inflammation and the heightened risk for healthcare workers, hepatitis B is the most accurate answer.