Hepatitis C, also known as hep C, is a liver infection caused by a virus of the same name. One can contract the hepatitis C virus through contact with contaminated blood, for instance, while using unsterile needles. It is a severe disease because it can progress rapidly, damaging the patient’s liver. While the condition is treatable, the symptoms must be identified in time. The following are nine hepatitis C signs to watch out for.
Ascites
Fluid build-up in the belly is known as ascites. It is often an outcome of severe liver disease, and hence hepatitis C is a risk factor. Over time, the fluid build-up can cause one’s body to swell. The patient will constantly have a feeling of fullness or a ballooning belly. Ascites can also result in weight gain. Apart from a hepatitis C sign, it could indicate liver failure and cirrhosis.
Yellow skin and eyes
Hemoglobin is responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body through red blood cells (RBCs). Usually, when RBCs break down, the body forms new ones as a replacement, and the liver processes the older ones. However, the liver fails to perform this job when affected with hepatitis C and produces an excess of a bile pigment called bilirubin as a result. Bilirubin causes a yellowish appearance on the skin and the eyes or jaundice. It can also lead to itchy skin.
Dark-colored urine
As mentioned above, hepatitis C affects the functioning of the liver, causing it to produce excess bilirubin. Besides causing the skin and eyes to turn yellow, bilirubin build-up can result in chalky or pale stools and dark-colored urine (also known as choluria). Choluria is confirmed when serum bilirubin is higher than 1.5 mg/dL.
Low-grade fever
We all end up having a slight temperature now and then but rarely associate it with anything severe. Hepatitis C also leads to low-grade fever, up to 102°F. If it persists for three days or more, one must immediately contact a medical expert as it is one of the common hepatitis C signs.
Bruising and bleeding
The liver plays a vital role in platelet or protein production. Platelets are quintessential for blood clotting and help wounds heal faster following an injury. When the liver does not perform correctly, platelet levels can fall, and cuts can take time to heal. This is usually the case when hepatitis C has progressed to an advanced stage.
Brain fog
People with chronic hepatitis C often have trouble concentrating. This is regarded as brain fog. It can result in poor memory, difficulty in concentration, and inability to complete challenging mental tasks. These are prevalent hepatitis C signs and can be managed successfully with antiviral therapy.
Loss of appetite
Loss of appetite could be a sign of several health conditions like digestive disorders, COPD, hypothyroidism, depression, and even overuse of certain medications. However, hepatitis C could also make a person want to eat less. Patients might not feel as hungry as they did earlier. The situation will aggravate further in cases of cirrhosis or liver failure.
Pain in the upper abdomen
Hepatitis C patients occasionally experience pain in the abdomen’s upper part that can gradually spread to the whole abdomen, resulting in severe discomfort. One might also experience pain in the joints, especially those in the wrist and hands. In most cases, the pain is mild and can be easily treated with painkillers.
Digestive issues
This is another common hepatitis C sign. Bile is an important compound produced by the liver that helps with digestion. Unfortunately, bile production goes down with the disease, and the body cannot digest certain foods. This can lead to nausea and vomiting, besides other problems.
Sadly, about 2.4 million in our country suffer from hepatitis C. However, it is curable with timely diagnosis and treatment. This was not the case earlier, and recovery was uncertain. Today, the disease can be easily diagnosed, sometimes even with a blood test.
