Liver swelling and inflammation caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a medical condition known as hepatitis C. This virus is typically transmitted through contact with infected body fluids, such as blood, semen or vaginal fluids. There are two forms of hepatitis C: acute (short-term illness) or chronic (long-term illness). Estimates provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that over 3 million people have chronic hepatitis C in the United States. If a person thinks they have been exposed to HCV, they should contact their doctor for further evaluation and care.
Asymptomatic
Approximately 70 to 80 percent of patients with acute hepatitis C do not develop any symptoms as a result of this infection, explains the CDC. Hepatitis C patients who do not exhibit symptoms can still transmit this disease to other people.
Flu-like Symptoms
If a person has hepatitis C, they can develop flu-like symptoms within six months following exposure to this virus. These symptoms can include fever, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting or severe fatigue, explain health officials at the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Acute hepatitis C symptoms are typically mild but can become severe in patients who develop the chronic form of this infection. People have these symptoms should discuss any flu-like symptoms with their doctors as these effects can be indicative of alternate types of infection.
Urine or Stool Discoloration
Those who have hepatitis C will notice that their urine or stools appear discolored. Urine that looks darker than usual or stools that look pale or clay-colored can be signs of liver damage caused by the virus, explains Medline Plus, a health information website provided as a service of the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Body Pain
Patients with hepatitis can experience pain throughout the body as a symptom of this infection. Certain patients experience joint or muscle pain, which can interfere with normal physical activities, such as walking or jogging. The presence of HCV within the liver can inflame and irritate this organ, leading to sensations of pain or tenderness within the abdomen, explain CDC health officials. Though these symptoms typically diminish within a few months in acute hepatitis C patients, sensations of body pain can persist or worsen in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Jaundice
Liver damage due to HCV can prevent this organ from functioning normally, causing waste products to accumulate within the body. If this occurs, hepatitis C patients can develop a yellowing of the skin or eyes--a condition known as jaundice, reports Medline Plus. Body aches and fatigue may also accompany jaundice symptoms.
