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Hepatitis C (cont.)

Hepatitis C Symptoms

Although hepatitis C damages the liver, 80% of people with the disease do not have symptoms. In those who do, symptoms may not appear for 10-20 years, or even longer. Even then, the symptoms usually come and go and are mild and vague. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, the damage may be very serious.

A minority of people have symptoms during the early acute phase of the infection. These symptoms typically develop 5-12 weeks after exposure to HCV. Some people describe the symptoms as being flulike. The symptoms may last a few weeks or months.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Pain over the liver (on the right side of the abdomen, just under the rib cage)
- Jaundice - A condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow
- Dark-colored urine (may look like cola or tea)
- Stools become pale in color (grayish or clay colored)

Prolonged nausea and vomiting can cause dehydration. If you have been vomiting repeatedly, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Headache
- Not urinating
- Irritability

Chronic hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis of the liver in many people, a condition traditionally associated with alcoholism. Cirrhosis is a condition in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue, followed by scarlike hardening. As this happens, the liver gradually begins to fail, or lose its ability to carry out its normal functions. Eventually, symptoms develop. Symptoms of cirrhosis include the following:
- Fluid retention causing swelling of the belly (ascites), legs, or whole body
- Persistent jaundice
- Fatigue
- Disturbances in sleeping
- Itchy skin
- Loss of appetite, weight loss, wasting
- Vomiting with blood in the vomit
- Mental disturbances such as confusion, lethargy, extreme sleepiness, or hallucinations (hepatic encephalopathy)