What Are The Symptoms Of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver. It is estimated to be the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer, leading to death if not treated in time. Most cases are transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, but some individuals may also contract hepatitis C from contaminated needles used during drug use. That is why it's important for people at risk or exposed to getting tested regularly.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C

According to World Health Organisation, the virus can cause acute and chronic hepatitis. The severity will differ from one person to the other depending on which type they have. The symptoms of the virus are:

•    fatigue and weakness (due to liver damage)
•    nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite (due to gastrointestinal tract inflammation)
•    Abdominal pain (particularly in the area below your ribs on the right side - where the liver is located). The pain may come and go at first, but it can become constant over time.
•    low-grade fever
•    Dark urine, pale stools (jaundice) - this is caused by the liver not working


properly, and it can appear several weeks after you first notice other symptoms. This symptom may disappear only to reoccur later in the illness when your liver becomes even more damaged.

So if you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor.

Can you Suffer Hepatitis C without Knowing?

Some people can have hepatitis C for years without knowing it. When symptoms are not showing up, the disease is called "asymptomatic" or "chronic." Chronic means you have had the virus a long time and will most likely experience liver damage over time if left untreated.

Though 75% of those infected develop chronic hepatitis C, many do not know they have it. Unfortunately, people unaware of their infection account for most new transmissions and many hepatitis C-related deaths.

That is why it's important to get tested regularly if you belong to a high-risk group or think that you might be exposed to the virus because chances are you won't even know until the damage has already been done.

Can Hepatitis C Resolve on its Own?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. If left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to this organ; however, some drugs can treat it. A new study published in the journal Gastroenterology has provided evidence that hepatitis C infection might still resolve on its own in some people, even if they never receive treatment. Women are more probable to have it resolve on their own compared to men.

How Long is the Treatment of Hepatitis C?

Depending on the treatment method, the treatment of hepatitis C can take from a few months to about twenty-four weeks. Interferon and ribavirin therapy, which is the older treatment method, can take up to several months. This type of therapy has many side effects. A newer treatment method is direct-acting antiviral agents, which are drugs that fight the hepatitis C virus on their own without interferon. This type of treatment takes about twelve weeks, but it has fewer side effects than the older method.

Some complications arise from having hepatitis C, like liver damage. It is important to discuss any symptoms with your healthcare provider to ensure you are treated immediately. This will prevent things from escalating any further.

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