II.2.2 WHAT ARE THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS C?
Hepatitis C FAQ v2.0Acute hepatitis C is almost indistinguishable from acute hepatitis B infection. Patients with acute hepatitis C are frequently asymptomatic (meaning that they have no symptoms), even when liver tests are abnormal. - "Hepatitis C & E: how much of a threat?" Special Issue: Emerging Infectious Diseases, Brown, Edwin A., May 15 1994, v28, n9, p105(8) Soon after contracting the infection many people have a flu-like illness with fatigue, fever, muscular aches and pain, nausea and vomiting.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:In most cases, people infected with hepatitis C experience no symptoms. Hepatitis C is a very slow moving virus, so symptoms my not even present themselves for 20 years or longer. The most common symptoms of hepatitis C are fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, muscle or joint pain, and jaundice (a yellowing of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes).
Related QuestionsHepatitis C Check - Frequently Asked QuestionsThe most common symptom of hepatitis C is fatigue; however, most infected people have no recognizable signs or symptoms for a long time. Some people do experience flu-like symptoms, such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fever, weakness, tiredness and mild abdominal pain. Less common symptoms are dark urine and jaundice of the skin and eyes. The only way to know if you are infected is through blood tests.Related Questions
what is hepatitis c?
FAQHepatitis C Virus (HCV) is spread mostly from contact with infected blood, such as a blood transfusion (before 1992), kidney dialysis, or through injecting drug use. It is rarely sexually transmitted, although sex with multiple partners or a history of sexually transmitted diseases can put people at risk for it. The virus can enter the body through minor cuts or scrapes by razors, toothbrushes or on needles used for tattooing, body piercing or on materials used to snort drugs.
Related QuestionsHepatitis C Check - Frequently Asked QuestionsHepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in an infected person's blood. Hepatitis C is a serious disease. Many people may carry the virus for the rest of their lives. Infected people can develop liver damage, but do not necessarily feel sick. Even those who develop a persistent infection may not show symptoms until there is severe liver damage.Related Questions
Are there things that can make hepatitis C worse or make symptoms appear faster?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Yes. If someone has hepatitis C, there are several things that can increase the likelihood that the virus will cause liver damage. Drinking alcohol (any amount) is very dangerous to a person who has hepatitis C since alcohol also causes liver damage. In HIV and hepatitis C coinfected people, the risk of developing liver damage is much higher than in those people who only have hepatitis C.
Related Questionshep_cThe symptoms of hepatitis C are similar to those of hepatitis B with two key differences. About 70% of those infected with HCV go on to a chronic carrier state. Only 10% of HBV infected persons develop chronic liver disease. The incubation period can be as long as 10-20 years in 80% of those infected with HCV. Symptoms occur in about 70% of patients infected with HBV and usually occur 9-21 weeks after exposure to an infected person.Related Questions
Hancock Think FirstEighty percent of infected people have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms might include jaundice (yellow skin), fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite or nausea.Related Questions
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe typical symptoms are abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and weight loss, and sometimes yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). Symptoms can range from mile to severe. 75% of infected persons may have no symptoms. Once infected, most persons carry the virus in their blood for many years, or for life.Related Questions
What are hepatitis C symptoms?
Hepatitis C Testing - Hepatitis C Home Test KitFatigue is the most frequent hepatitis C symptom, but often people infected with the virus don't have any noticeable symptoms for a extended period of time. Other hepatitis C symptoms may included appetite loss, nausea and vomiting, fever, weakness, tiredness and abdominal pain. Other symptoms that are not as common are jaundice and dark urine. Hepatitis C can only be detected via a blood test.
Related QuestionsWho is at risk for Hepatitis C and what are the symptoms?
Patrick G. Tempera, M.D.There is no such thing as a "typical" Hepatitis C patient and people from all walks of life are at risk. You are at risk for Hepatitis C if you've: One of the reasons why many people with Hepatitis C are undiagnosed is that there are few symptoms early in the disease. A person with Hepatitis C may feel fine, but his/her liver is being slowly damaged. Symptoms often do not appear until it is too late to effectively treat Hepatitis C.
Related QuestionsWhat are the signs and symptoms of hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A : Frequently Asked QuestionsPersons with hepatitis A virus infection may not have any signs or symptoms of the disease. Older persons are more likely to have symptoms than children. If symptoms are present, they usually occur abruptly and may include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Symptoms usually last less than 2 months; a few persons are ill for as long as 6 months.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of viral hepatitis?
Frequently Asked Questions About Viral HepatitisThe symptoms of acute (newly acquired) hepatitis A, B, and C are the same. Symptoms occur more often in adults than in children. If symptoms occur, they might include:
Related QuestionsHow is hepatitis C transmitted?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus, and is transmitted through direct blood-to-blood contact. The most common ways for hepatitis C to be transmitted is through sharing needles with an infected person, having had a blood transfusion prior to 1992, sharing personal care items such has razors that could have infected blood on them, and from mother to child during childbirth. in rare cases, hepatitis C can be transmitted through sex.
Related QuestionsHow easy is it to get hepatitis C from sex?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:It is possible to transmit hepatitis C through sex, but it is not an efficient transmission method. It is much more likely to get hepatitis C through sharing needles or "works", or having had a blood transfusion before 1992. Having a sexually transmitted disease or having sex that involves blood can increase the risk of getting hepatitis C through sex.
Related QuestionsIf people get hepatitis C, will they always have it?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Hepatitis C is interesting in that about 15% of people who get the infection can clear the virus completely out of their bodies naturally within the first 6 months of their infection. This means that those people are no longer infected and can no longer spread the virus to other people. However, 85% of people with hepatitis C will become chronic carriers. These people will always be capable of transmitting the virus to others through blood.
Related QuestionsCan people become reinfected with hepatitis C?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Yes. People who have cleared the virus either naturally or through medication can become infected again. Also, people who have active hepatitis C can become infected with additional genotypes (strains) of hepatitis C.
Related QuestionsWhen was hepatitis C first discovered?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Doctors and scientists recognized a type of hepatitis in the early 1970's that they called Non-A, non-B hepatitis. In 1987, they discovered that it was a unique virus and named it Hepatitis C.
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