Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Do you suspect you might have Hepatitis C and want to confirm that? Continue reading to learn about the detailed symptoms of Hepatitis C, along with ways to diagnose it.

What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis C?

A fact that many people are unaware of is that Hepatitis C affects individuals differently. However, in general, many infected people do not show any symptoms and may not even know they are infected until the liver is damaged enough for symptoms to appear. Here are the symptoms of Hepatitis C in detail:

• Acute Hepatitis C

This infection typically begins with an acute phase known as acute Hepatitis C. The acute phase is usually not diagnosed because it rarely causes symptoms. Only 1 in 3 to 4 people experience symptoms during this phase. Even if symptoms do appear, they typically emerge anywhere from two weeks to six months after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include:

1. Fatigue.
2. Nausea.
3. Fever (above 38°C).
4. Muscle aches.
5. Abdominal pain.
6. Jaundice (1 in 5 people who show symptoms during this phase will experience jaundice).

Some individuals (approximately 1 in 4 people) may have an immune system that can clear the virus after the acute phase, a phenomenon known as spontaneous viral clearance. In this case, no further symptoms will appear unless the infection reoccurs.

In the remaining cases, the body is unable to fight off the infection, and the virus persists in the body for several months or years. The acute phase then progresses to a chronic condition known as chronic Hepatitis C.

• Chronic Hepatitis C

Long-term infection is referred to as chronic Hepatitis C, and symptoms typically do not appear until several years after the infection, when the virus has significantly damaged the liver.

In fact, the symptoms can range from mild, barely noticeable symptoms to severe ones that can impact quality of life. These include:

1. Easy bleeding and easy bruising.
2. Stool resembling clay-colored, and dark urine.
3. Fatigue and exhaustion.
4. Joint pain.
5. Loss of appetite and weight loss.
6. Itchy skin.
7. Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
8. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
9. Fluid buildup in the stomach area, known as ascites.
10. Swelling in the legs.
11. Mood swings, depression, and anxiety.
12. Short-term memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and challenges in completing complex mental tasks like mental arithmetic.
13. Hepatic encephalopathy, which causes confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech.
14. Spider angiomas, which are small red spots from blood vessels appearing in the shape of spider legs.

It is important to note that symptoms may disappear for extended periods and then reappear later.

How Is Hepatitis C Diagnosed?

Typically, the doctor will begin by asking about the symptoms the patient is experiencing, followed by questions about whether they have had blood transfusions or used injected drugs.

The doctor will then perform a physical examination to check for signs of liver damage, such as jaundice, abdominal swelling, and swelling of the lower legs and feet. The doctor will then request several tests, the most notable of which include:

1. Hepatitis C antibody test: This test checks whether the blood contains antibodies to the virus.
2. Hepatitis C RNA test: This test shows whether the virus is active or not.
3. Genotype Test: There are at least six strains of hepatitis C, and this test identifies the strain the patient is infected with.
4. Liver Function Tests: These tests assess the overall health of the liver.

Blazma provides all the necessary tests that a doctor may request to diagnose Hepatitis C, including Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Abs Test, Qualitative detection of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA by Real Time - PCR Test, Liver function test Package, and more.

Can Hepatitis C Be Cured?

Yes, Hepatitis C can be completely cured. It has been found that 25% of individuals with acute Hepatitis C completely recover. As for chronic Hepatitis C, it can also be cured if the disease is diagnosed and treated early, before it causes severe liver damage.

Therefore, it is essential to visit a doctor immediately if you notice any of the symptoms of Hepatitis C that we have outlined above.