Common Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a viral infection of the liver that is spread through contaminated blood. Unfortunately, the disease doesn’t have many early symptoms, and many patients don’t know that they’re infected until the virus has already caused liver damage. A person might have hepatitis C for years before they show clear signs of infection.

Because early symptoms aren’t obvious, many patients develop long-term (or chronic) hepatitis C. Not every infection leads to long-term illness, however — some people are able to start treatment within the first few months following exposure, which can allow for more effective treatment.

In the first months after exposure, signs of hepatitis C might include:

• Aching muscles and fatigue
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Nausea, fever, and flu-like symptoms

When these symptoms appear, they often do so within 1-3 months of exposure, lasting anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Chronic hepatitis C occurs after years of having a “silent” infection. Some symptoms of chronic hepatitis C include the symptoms listed above, along with:

• Bleeding and bruising easily
• Poor appetite and weight loss
• Feeling tired or confused
• Dark colored urine
• Itchy skin, sometimes with web-like blood vessels visible through the skin
• Built-up fluid causing swelling in the abdomen and legs

These symptoms are also associated with other illnesses, so people who notice any unusual changes in their health should seek a medical diagnosis. It’s also important to seek medical attention early — even in cases of chronic hepatitis, the earlier a patient starts on a course of treatment, the better.

Hepatitis C Risk Factors

Unlike with other forms of hepatitis, there is no preventative vaccine for hepatitis C. It’s important for people to understand their potential risk factors and speak with a healthcare professional after potential exposures.

The HCV virus is transmitted by through-the-skin exposure of infected blood. The Liver Foundation lists these as potential risk factors for contracting hepatitis C:

• Sharing needles
• Working with infected blood (for instance, healthcare workers)
• Receiving blood transfusions or organ transplants before July 1992
• Receiving a product for blood clotting problems that was made before 1987
• Getting body piercings or tattoos using unsterilized equipment
• Had tattoos or body piercings in an unclean environment using unsterile equipment

Hepatitis C can pass from a mother to a baby. People who have HIV are more likely to contract hep C, and people born between 1945 and 1965 belong to the age group with the highest incidence of infection.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

People who may have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus should receive regular screenings. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults ages 18 to 79 years be screened for hepatitis C.

Additionally, the CDC recommends that all adults over the age of 18 be tested at least once; the organization also recommends that all pregnant women get tested during their pregnancies.

To diagnose the disease, doctors will perform blood tests. For those who test positive, an additional test should be done to find out the amount of HCV in the blood and to identify the genotype of the virus. A positive hepatitis C test should also prompt additional liver function tests to determine the progress of any liver damage.

Treatments typically include antiviral medications. If the patient’s liver has been severely damaged, they may need a liver transplant, though doctors will look at a number of factors to determine whether this is necessary.

Researching Information Online

If a patient receives treatment before the virus has caused chronic symptoms, hepatitis C is typically curable with 8-12 weeks of oral antiviral medications. New medications, sometimes used along with older medications, have allowed for fewer side effects and better outcomes.

While hep C is treatable, it can cause irreversible liver damage. Early diagnosis is essential, and older adults should talk to their doctors about blood tests, even if they haven’t shown symptoms.

Online resources allow people to build their knowledge of hep C and other illnesses. It’s important to review multiple sources wherever possible and to speak with a physician before making any treatment decisions. By knowing the signs of hep C, understanding risk factors, and getting tested, many people can avoid the most serious complications of the illness.