Hepatitis is a viral disease that affects the liver. The liver eliminates toxins from the food we eat, it metabolizes the carbs, proteins, and fat from the food and produces bile. Additionally, it stores reserve energy in the case of decreased blood sugar levels. Liver inflammation due to hepatitis ensures the organ cannot work properly, resulting in complications. Early detection of hepatitis can help chart out an adequate treatment plan.

About hepatitis C
The three types of hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, and C. All three viral diseases lead to liver inflammation and exhibit similar symptoms. However, there are differences in how each virus spreads and their treatment approaches. Hepatitis C spreads when a person comes into contact with an infected person’s blood. It can happen if a person shares an infected person’s personal items, like razors and nail clippers. If they have sex with an infected person, the risk of contraction is very high. Those who share injections and needles or get ear piercings or tattoos with an unsterilized instrument can also get the condition.

The initial symptoms may be mild and not serious, but the infection may continue to affect the liver. It can become a chronic or lifelong infection requiring continuous treatment. Without periodic screening and continuous treatment and follow-up, hepatitis C can lead to liver diseases, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. If the condition is diagnosed at an advanced stage, treatments may not be effective, and the person may need an urgent liver transplant.

Symptoms of hepatitis C
Hepatitis C does not display any symptoms in the initial stages and can be dormant for as long as 20 or 30 years. Commonly, many infected people know about their condition only after the disease is advanced and their liver is already severely scared or inflamed. They may know that they have an infection during a routine health examination and their blood exams show higher liver enzymes. Undiagnosed and untreated hepatitis can lead to severe complications; hence, it is important to learn to identify the early as well as late symptoms to prevent any damage to the liver.

Early hepatitis C signs
Only one in four or five people may feel hepatitis C symptoms early. If symptoms appear within a few weeks of infection, it is called acute hepatitis C. Many miss the symptoms as they overlap with signs of other diseases. The early warning signs of the condition include:

Abdominal swelling
Pain in the upper right abdominal area
Dark colored urine
Pale stools
Unexplained fatigue and feeling of being sick
Fever above 100 degrees F along with headache
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting

Advanced symptoms of hepatitis C
Though hepatitis C is asymptomatic, the infection affects the liver for many years. The years of damage cause the liver tissues to become hard, resulting in liver cirrhosis. When the damage is severe, sudden and intense symptoms begin to appear. Some symptoms may be noticeable for a short time, disappear, and then reappear. Some of the symptoms of advanced Hepatitis C are:

Continuous fatigue and exhaustion and feeling of being sick
Bloating
Heartburn
Excessive burping
Indigestion
Pain and discomfort in the stomach, joints and bones
Rashes and itchiness in the skin
Problems with memory
Difficulty in concentration
Mood changes
Anxiety
Depression
Black stools
Yellow tint in eyes and skin (Jaundice)
Fluid retention in legs

Screening for hepatitis C
An HCV antibody test is the most common and easy way of diagnosing hepatitis C. People who are at a high risk of the condition should consult a doctor and undergo periodic screening that can help detect acute hepatitis C. Those who are at higher risk of hepatitis C are:

Healthcare workers working in hemodialysis centers
People who use street narcotics, and share needles and injections
People who share toothbrushes, nail clippers, and razors
People diagnosed with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases
People who have multiple sexual partners