Hepatitis C – Understanding the Common Signs and Symptoms

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by hepatitis C virus and primarily affects the liver. This virus persists in the liver in almost 75% to 85% of the cases. This infection causes an inflammation in the liver and at times leads to serious liver damage. Hepatitis C virus is transmitted by blood or body fluids, such as blood to blood contact through intravenous drugs or needles, unsterilized medical equipment, and blood transfusions. It may also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth, or when having sexual intercourse with an infected person.

Common signs and symptoms
In the initial phase, hepatitis C shows mild or no symptoms. It may take one to three months for an individual to show symptoms after exposure to the virus.

Signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis C
Acute hepatitis C hardly shows any symptoms and usually goes unnoticed. However, when mild signs are present, it may include the following:

  • Jaundice—A medical condition that causes yellow skin, eyes, nails, and dark urine
  • Occasional fever
  • Stomach pain
  • Poor appetite and weight loss
  • Body gets bruises and bleeds easily
  • Fatigue and drowsiness

Signs and symptoms of chronic hepatitis C
Individuals infected with hepatitis C virus for long term are said to have chronic hepatitis C. Long-term chronic infection often leads to liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, or permanent liver damage. It may also cause dilation of blood vessels in the esophagus. Common signs and symptoms of chronic hepatitis C include the following:

  • Fatigue and mild cognitive issues
  • Fatty liver
  • Portal hypertension
  • Jaundice
  • Easy bruising and bleeding
  • Enlarged veins in stomach and esophagus
  • Cognitive impairment

Moreover, the following are two types of infections that can be caused due to hepatitis C; these conditions also need urgent medical attention:

Extrahepatic infections
A condition that develops due to hepatitis C which does not involve the liver, but causes inflammation of small and medium blood vessels is known as extraheptic infection. In such infections, individuals show symptoms like the following:

  • Low platelet count
  • Insulin resistance
  • Diabetic nephropathy
  • Dryness in mouth, salivary duct stones, or crusted lesions around mouth

Occult infection
Sometimes, individuals having the hepatitis C virus may not show any signs or symptoms. This form of infection with a continuous presence of serum liver enzymes but with an absence of antibodies is known as cryptogenic occult infection. Common signs and symptoms of this type include the following:

Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment
Hepatitis C can be diagnosed by undergoing a blood test. This condition can be treated with antiviral medications. In severe chronic infections, liver transplant may be an option. There are many methods to prevent getting affected from the virus such as avoid using banned medicines, exercising caution when using injections and intravenous medications, and practicing safe sex.

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