Hepatitis Health Center

Understanding Hepatitis C -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a sneaky virus. About 80% of infected people don't have any symptoms of the virus, and their liver shows only a little damage. Many of these people are diagnosed with hepatitis C after showing abnormal liver enzymes on routine blood tests. Other people -- about 10% to 20% of those infected with the virus -- develop cirrhosis after having the infection for 20 or 30 years. This is when the normal functioning liver is replaced by scar tissue. A smaller number of people develop liver cancer after infection.

Some symptoms of acute hepatitis C are similar to flu symptoms:

• Feeling tired
• Feeling sick to your stomach
• Poor appetite
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Muscle and joint pain
• Dark yellow urine
• Yellowish eyes and skin

In later stages, patients may develop symptoms of cirrhosis such as fluid retention, easy bleeding and bruising, and jaundice. 

Call Your Doctor About Hepatitis C If:

If you are having symptoms of hepatitis C or think you may have been exposed to the virus, go to your doctor and get tested.