Hepatitis C history and symptoms
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Hepatitis C |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Yazan Daaboul; Serge Korjian
Overview
Acute HCV infection is often asymptomatic and may only manifest as fatigue and low grade fever. Patients with chronic infection may present late with signs of liver cirrhosis or may be diagnosed incidentally following an abnormal liver function panel.
History and Symptoms
Approximately 70%–80% of people with acute Hepatitis C do not have any symptoms. If symptoms occur, the average time is 6–7 weeks after exposure, but this can range from 2 weeks to 6 months. However, many people infected with the hepatitis C virus do not develop symptoms. Some people, however, can have mild to severe symptoms soon after being infected, including:[1]
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored stools
- Arthralgia
- Jaundice, icterus
Most people with chronic hepatitis C do not have any symptoms. Patients usually present in late disease due to the manifestations of liver cirrhosis with is a common complication seen in 10-20% of patients with chronic HCV. In asymptomatic patients, hepatitis C is often detected following abnormal liver function tests.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wilkins T, Malcolm JK, Raina D, Schade RR (2010). "Hepatitis C: diagnosis and treatment". Am Fam Physician. 81 (11): 1351–7. PMID 20521755.