4 Ways to Identify Hepatitis C Symptoms

1. Non-Existent Symptoms

Hepatitis C can be a confusing and mysterious illness. Although it's a chronic inflammation of the liver, it can be difficult to identify the symptoms. Many people infected with Hepatitis C actually have the disease for years without experiencing any symptoms at all. A person with undiagnosed Hepatitis C may have quite mild symptoms for as long as 20 years. The liver damage usually shows up in blood tests done for a routine physical or when the person goes to donate blood. But Hepatitis C is a silent and deadly disease that can have serious and life-threatening consequences, especially if it is not treated. Since symptoms can be so mild, or even non-existent, you should be tested for the disease if you believe you have been exposed to it. Sharing of needles and illegal drug equipment is the most common way it is transmitted.

2. Early Stages of Hepatitis C

Most people who have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C don't even remember their first symptoms. Or, if they do, they remember them as being similar to flu symptoms. They may have an upset stomach and indigestion, with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They may experience chills and headaches. They may also feel tired and weak. A telltale symptom is pain or tenderness over the liver which is on the right side of the stomach just under the ribs. They may also have itchy skin and blurred vision. There may be persistent muscle soreness and joint pain. All these symptoms may last for a few weeks or even months before they disappear, only to occur again later. Patients think they are well, but they're not. The chronic inflammation is still there.

3. Late Stage Symptoms

Late stage symptoms can be just as mild. More severe symptoms are extreme fatigue, nausea and a low grade fever. One of the most distinguishing symptoms of Hepatitis C is jaundice. When you have jaundice, your skin and the whites of your eyes look yellow. You may have redness on the palms of your heads and tiny clusters of blood vessels just below the surface of your skin.

4. The Final Stage of Cirrhosis

Unfortunately, untreated Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, a disease in which healthy liver tissue dies, and the liver cannot perform its normal functions. Symptoms for cirrhosis of the liver include fatigue and weakness, vomiting blood, weight loss and fluid retention. Persistent jaundice is usually seen, also. Many cirrhosis patients also experience behavioral problems, such as confusion, hallucinations and extreme sleepiness.