Symptoms of acute hepatitis C are usually described as mild and flu-like. Chronic-stage symptoms develop slowly as the virus damages the liver.
| Acute Infection | Chronic Infection |
| Abdominal pain | Abnormally curved and shiny fingernails |
| Chills | Changes in kidney function |
| Dark urine | Changes in the levels of certain blood cells |
| Generalized itching | Decreased platelet formation (platelets are parts of the blood that aid in clotting) |
| Headache | Enlargement of breast tissue in men |
| Loss of appetite | Inflammation of the arteries in the liver |
| Low-grade fever | Joint pain |
| Muscle aches | Loss of appetite |
| Nausea | Loss of muscle tone |
| Pale or clay-colored stools | Rash |
| Sore throat | Red bumps on the hands and arms |
| Tiredness | Serum sickness (occasional fever, water retention, skin rash, and other flu-like symptoms) |
| Vomiting | Spider-like lines on the skin of the stomach |
| Weakness | Thyroid gland changes |
| Yellowing of the skin and eyes | Water retention |
As a result of the continuing damage, several complications can develop from chronic hepatitis C.
Possible Complications of Hepatitis C Infection
Ascites (pronounced: ass-eye-tees): excess fluid that collects in the belly as a result of blood backing up by because the diseased liver cannot filter it adequately. Ascites may result from the blood's being low in proteins that help to keep fluid from leaking out of the blood vessels
Coagulopathy (pronounced: co-ag-u-lop-ah-thee): decreased ability of the blood to clot as a result of the liver's inability to make the proteins needed for normal clotting
Hepatic encephalopathy (pronounced: in-sef-ah-lop-ah-thee): changes in awareness, behavior, and personality due to the liver's inability to clear toxins from the blood which then disturb the normal functions of the brain
Hepatorenal syndrome: loss of kidney function. As a result of severely decreased liver function, blood flow to the kidneys is decreased, causing the death of kidney cells.
Malnutrition: a decrease in the vitamins and minerals that the body needs to stay healthy because the body is unable to absorb or store them
Peritonitis (pronounced: pear-ee-tone-eye-tis): bacterial infection in the membrane and fluid surrounding abdominal organs
Portal hypertension: increased blood pressure in the blood vessels of the liver, which can sometimes lead to bleeding in the stomach and esophagus
Varices: enlarged blood vessels in the lining of the stomach or esophagus. Varices can cause significant blood loss if they bleed as a result of blood accumulation in the liver.
Once chronic hepatitis C is diagnosed, laboratory tests may be performed several times a year to assess liver function and general health. By measuring the levels of specific liver enzymes and other substances in the blood, doctors can determine the approximate extent of damage as well as what complications may be developing. Liver tests may include:
In addition, the results of general blood tests may be affected by loss of liver function. Among these substances are:
What are the symptoms?
