Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). This viral infection is linked to a wide range of liver diseases, from minor inflammation to liver cirrhosis, according to the website The Hepatitis C Trust. Most individuals with hepatitis C do not experience symptoms until after the disease has progressed, while some do experience initial signs of the illness. In addition to the affects on the liver, hepatitis C infections can cause a range of other symptoms.
Flu-like Symptoms
Acute hepatitis C may initially present symptoms about six to seven weeks after the individual has been infected with the virus. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that some people may not experience signs for up to six months after contracting the disease. These symptoms may be similar to the flu, such as a fever, aches, fatigue, loss of appetite and weakness. Individual with the infection can pass on the virus even if they do not have any symptoms of hepatitis C.
Other Body Effects
Each individual affected by hepatitis C will experience varying symptoms. Common symptoms of acute hepatitis C, as listed by the MayoClinic.com, include nausea; vomiting; joint pains--most commonly in the hands and wrists; muscle soreness; and red, itchy hives on the skin. The Hepatitis C Trust notes that other symptoms include chronic fatigue, difficulty concentrating, bladder discomfort, and irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive ailments.
Liver Effects
As the disease progresses, symptoms of liver damage will appear, such as tenderness or aching in the right upper abdominal area as well as sharp pain in the abdomen. Damage to the liver can lead to cirrhosis, or scarring, of the liver. Signs of liver damage may be determined by laboratory blood tests before the patient experiences any symptoms. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that the most common sign of liver damage is jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Jaundice results from the accumulation of the yellow pigment bilirubin from old red blood cells. When the liver is damaged, bilirubin collects in the bloodstream instead of being excreted by the liver.
