What Are The Signs And Symptoms of Hepatitis C?

What Is Hepatitis C?

The word hepatitis comes from two root terms. “Hepatic” - to do with the liver, and “-itis” which means inflammation. The disease can either be an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting) infection.

While all types of viral hepatitis cause inflammation of the liver, the clinical manifestation and disease course differs. Hepatitis C which is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can range from a minor ailment to a serious, lifelong condition that may lead to complications such as liver cirrhosis, the permanent scarring of the liver, or progression of cancer. 

How Can I Get Infected?

HCV has a two-week to six-month incubation period after one is infected through direct contact with contaminated blood. Approximately 80% of patients do not show any symptoms after the initial infection. 

You can be infected through:

• Needlestick Injuries

• Sexual Contact

• Past Blood Transfusion

• Mother-to-Child Transmission

Hepatitis C: Symptoms That You Should Know

Fever, exhaustion, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, dark urine, pale stool, joint pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes) are common symptoms in those who do show signs of acute infection. 

30% of infected individuals usually clear off the infection within 6 months, spontaneously without treatment which is known as spontaneous viral clearance.

However, 70% of them will develop chronic infection which is usually silent or asymptomatic, until many will later develop a chronic liver disease which may manifest at a later stage with symptoms such as:

• Easy bruising or bleeding

• Loss of appetite 

• Skin and eye discolouration in a yellowish hue (jaundice)

• Fatigue or lethargy 

• Leg swelling

• Unintentional weight loss

• Urine with a dark colour

• Itchiness

• Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)

• Spider-like blood vessels (spider angiomas)

Because the liver cannot function properly and remove toxins from the blood, these toxins can build up and travel to the brain leading to a condition called hepatic encephalopathy. It can cause drowsiness, confusion, and slurred speech.

While most of these symptoms can be a sign of other infectious diseases, knowing the right diagnosis ahead of time can help you and your doctor to provide you with the right course of treatment. Look out for any of these symptoms and talk to your doctor if you think you may be at risk. Hepatitis C is a disease that can lead to devastating consequences but with a quick check-up and treatment, you can save yourself or your loved ones for a brighter future.