Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The hepatitis C virus causes inflammation of the liver. If the inflammation is not reversed, it becomes chronic (ongoing, long term) and can cause chronic liver disease, which can be serious or even fatal. HCV infection sometimes results in an acute illness, but most often, it does become a chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. In fact, at least 75% of people infected with hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis C.

What are Symptoms?

Although hepatitis C does severe damage the liver, 80% of people with the disease have no signs or symptoms. In those who do, symptoms may not appear for 10-20 years. 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. Some infected people have flu-like symptoms during the early acute phase of the infection. These symptoms typically develop 5-12 weeks after exposure to HCV. The following are signs and symptoms of chronic hepatitis C infection.

Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Fatigue
Dark-colored urine
Pale-colored stool
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

Testing

The Hepatitis C Virus Antibody test is a blood test that looks for antibodies of the virus that causes hepatitis C. This test cannot tell the difference between an acute or chronic infection. <

Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis C.

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