Introduction
Hepatitis C can manifest itself through various symptoms. Some sufferers feel a feeling of pressure in the right upper abdomen, in others the skin turns yellowish (jaundice). Some people who have become infected with hepatitis C even remain symptom-free. The following article provides an overview of the most common symptoms of hepatitis C.
Frequency of symptoms in hepatitis C
In the most common cases, hepatitis C does not cause any symptoms and 25% of those infected show mild to severe symptoms of acute viral hepatitis. In 50-80% of the infected persons, hepatitis C develops chronically. By definition, chronic hepatitis C is defined as a persistence of symptoms with virus detection for more than 6 months. This chronic infection sooner or later leads to cirrhosis of the liver (connective tissue remodelling of the liver with restriction of liver function) in 20% of those affected.
Symptoms of acute hepatitis C
Icterus (jaundice: yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes) Itching Feeling ill (fatigue, tiredness, fever) Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea Loss of appetite Pain in muscles and joints Feeling of pressure in the rake upper abdomen Weight loss Sudden liver failure (very rare) If hepatitis C infection is suspected, the doctor should be asked to perform a hepatitis C test.
- Icterus (jaundice: yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes)
- Itching
- Feeling ill (fatigue, tiredness, fever)
- Vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in muscles and joints
- Feeling of pressure in the rake upper abdomen
- Weight loss
- Sudden liver failure (very rare)
Symptoms of chronic hepatitis
Non-specific symptoms in particular are typical for hepatitis C. These include: Lassitude, fatigue Reduced performance Cognitive limitations (restrictions in thinking) Weight loss Feeling of pressure or pain in the right upper abdomen
- Exhaustion, tiredness
- Reduced performance
- Cognitive limitations (limitations of the ability to think)
- Weight loss
- Feeling of pressure or pain in the right upper abdomen
