Hepatitis C symptoms reflect the degree of the infection as a result of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Once symptoms show up, they will be classified as either severe or mild. Around 80% of people afflicted with Hepatitis C have no idea of that they are stricken by the condition because the mild symptoms are hardly noticeable thus, it’s tough to distinguish during its initial phases. Severe hepatitis C symptoms, on the other hand result in other health problems which can be debilitating.
Hepatitis is a medical condition described by the inflammation of the liver that is as a result of wide variety of factors including: chronic intake of alcohol, specific medication, harmful substances, and toxins, as well as other kinds of contagious ailments. The most prevalent cause of this liver disease is because of the Hepatitis C virus, one of the several viruses that cause liver inflammation.
The inflammation of the liver brought on by an infection of HCV is no other than Hepatitis C. The HCV infection can result in chronic effects that could cause fatal liver disease if not given immediate attention. Hepatitis C symptoms should not be taken for granted as this simple inflammation of the liver can progress to liver failure.
This condition is life threatening and liver transplant is the best possible treatment. Around 75%- 85% of HCV infected people have developed chronic Hepatitis C eventually.
The U.S and other nations all over the world are worried about the growing instances of Hepatitis C in their countries. For United States alone, there are 17,000 new (acute) cases of HCV infections annually, while HCV is killing 8,000 to 10,000 people overall annually. Liver cancer, end-stage liver disease, and cirrhosis caused by HCV are reasons for the rising mortality rate in the United States.
Hepatitis C symptoms can show in about 1 out of 5 individuals, who are infected with HCV. Such symptoms emerge with varying severity. It may also be categorized into two kinds of HCV infections, either acute or chronic infection.
Acute Infection: There aren’t any Hepatitis C symptoms recognized upon initial infection with HCV. The majority of recently infected patients, or 80%, are asymptomatic. The remaining 20% of the newly infected patients manifest symptoms like jaundice, nausea, fatigue, abdominal discomfort and loss of appetite. The yellow discoloration of the skin occurs when there is an increased bilirubin levels in the body and brings about the tinting of the whites of eyes and skin. Consequently, the urine and stools may come out unusually darker in color. Acute Hepatitis C symptoms that are flu-like can develop after 4 to 12 weeks of exposure to HCV.
Chronic Infections: For people with newly acquired HCV, 75% to 85% of the total number of cases is chronically infected. Chronic Hepatitis C symptoms include unusual bodily symptoms like tiredness and occasionally there are no obvious signs or symptoms. Nevertheless progressive liver damage can arise especially for asymptomatic individuals. 15% to 30% of the cases of chronic Hepatitis C often lead to the development of “cirrhosis” or scarring of the liver. Liver cirrhosis is a medical condition that is also linked to alcoholism, arises when fibrous tissue eats the healthy tissue of the liver, after which, this fibrous tissue hardens in the liver. Liver cirrhosis results in the gradual failure of the liver until eventually it struggles to perform its normal functions. Signs and symptoms of cirrhosis seem 20-30 years after infection. A few of these signs and symptoms are listed here:
. Chronic jaundice
. Blood in vomit
. Disturbances in sleeping
. Itchy skin
. Weight loss and loss of appetite
. Fatigue
. Mental disturbances, ex. hallucinations (hepatic encephalopathy), or extreme sleepiness
. Fluid retention that brings about swelling of legs (edema), belly (ascites), or the whole body (anasarca)
Upon experiencing any of the signs and symptoms, immediately see a doctor. Even better, have a routine check-up in order to avoid acquiring any transmittable diseases like Hepatitis C. It doesn’t matter if the HCV infection is acute or chronic, Hepatitis C symptoms should be considered in order to avoid additional problems and health concerns.
The manifestation of Hepatitis C symptoms will depend on how severe the infection has become as a result of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Such Hepatitis C symptoms can either be classified as either mild or severe. Around 80% of individuals affected by Hepatitis C don’t know that they’re afflicted by the disease as the mild symptoms are hardly noticeable therefore, it really is tough to detect during its early stages. Severe hepatitis C symptoms, on the other hand can bring about other debilitating health issues.
Hepatitis, the inflammation of the liver, may be caused by chronic intake of alcohol, certain medication, harmful chemicals, and toxins, or by other types of transmittable ailments. The most typical reason for this liver ailment is due to infection brought by one of the many viruses that trigger liver inflammation.
Hepatitis C Symptoms and Types of Infections
Hepatitis C is the inflammation of the liver as a result of an infection of HCV. Hepatitis C can result in chronic effects that could potentially cause serious liver disease if not given proper attention. Hepatitis C symptoms should be taken heed of as this simple inflammation of the liver can progress to liver failure.
This is lethal and the only treatment for this is a liver transplant. Around 75%- 85% of HCV infected people have progressed to chronic Hepatitis C eventually.
The U.S and other countries across the world are worried with regards to the increasing instances of Hepatitis C in their countries. Annually, there are 17,000 new (acute) cases of HCV infections the USA alone, while HCV is killing 8,000 to 10,000 people overall per year. Liver cancer, end-stage liver disease, and cirrhosis as a result of HCV are reasons for the rising death rate in the United States.
About 1 out of 5 individuals, who are infected with HCV can manifest Hepatitis C symptoms. These signs and symptoms appear with varying degrees of severity. It may likewise be categorized into two kinds of HCV infections, either acute or chronic infection.
Acute Infection: There are no Hepatitis C symptoms noticed upon first infection with HCV. The majority of recently infected patients, or 80%, are asymptomatic. The remaining 20% of the newly infected individuals manifest symptoms such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, tiredness, or yellow jaundice. Jaundice develops when there is an increased bilirubin levels in the body and leads to the tinting of the the skin and the white of the eyes. Consequently, the stools and urine may come out unusually darker in color. Acute Hepatitis C symptoms that are flu-like can develop after 4 to 12 weeks of exposure to HCV.
Chronic Infections: Nearly 75% to 85% of newly infected individuals have chronic infection. Chronic Hepatitis C symptoms include vague symptoms like low energy and sometimes there are no overt or obvious signs or symptoms. Nonetheless asymptomatic patients are more vulnerable to have progressive liver damage. Roughly 15% to 30% of chronic Hepatitis C cases have acquired scarring of the liver or cirrhosis as time passes. Liver cirrhosis is an ailment also associated with alcoholism, occurs when fibrous tissue eats the healthy tissue of the liver, and then, hardening of the fibrous tissue. This condition results in the progressive failure of the liver until eventually the organ is unable to perform its normal functions. It is only after 20-30 years of infection will the signs and symptoms of liver cirrhosis will appear. A number of these symptoms are shown below:
. Fluid retention that leads to swelling of belly (ascites), legs (edema) or the whole body (anasarca)
. Disturbances in sleeping
. Fatigue
. Itchy skin
. Chronic jaundice
. Weight loss and loss of appetite
. Blood in vomit
. Mental disturbances, ex. hallucinations (hepatic encephalopathy), or extreme sleepiness
It is always suggested to go and visit a medical doctor once these signs and symptoms are felt. Much better, have a routine check-up to avoid being infected with contagious conditions like Hepatitis C. It doesn’t matter if the HCV infection is chronic or acute, the Hepatitis C symptoms must be considered in order to avoid further challenges and health concerns.
Norma Leavey is a registered nurse who’s spent the past seventeen years administering tests for patients with Hepatitis C symptoms.