THE MAIN SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS C

Acute hepatitis C is almost indistinguishable from acute hepatitis B infection. Patients with acute hepatitis C are frequently asymptomatic (meaning that they have no symptoms), even when liver tests are abnormal.

Soon after contracting the infection many people have a flu-like illness with fatigue, fever, muscular aches and pain, nausea and vomiting. About 10% of patients become jaundiced (their skin turns yellow). Generally these symptoms resolve and the patient has no symptoms of liver disease for many years. Symptoms may occur from two weeks to six months after exposure but usually within two months.

What are the symptoms of chronic infection and cirrhosis?
The symptoms of chronic infection range from no symptoms at all, to gradually progressive fatigue and lack of energy, to complete debility. The effects of the virus vary widely between individuals.
The symptoms of cirrhosis include progressive fatigue, jaundice (yellow skin), icterus (yellow eyes), dark urine (the color of cola), abdominal swelling, muscle wasting, itching, disorientation and confusion, loss of appetite, and easy bruisability.

In an informal survey of hepatitis C symptoms, Scott Warren polled 50 people on the HEPV-L list and compiled the following results: