Many people who contract the disease can live symptom-free for a long time.

After initial exposure to the virus, it can take up to 6 months to test positive for acute hepatitis C. Even then, 80 percent of people living with hepatitis C never experience symptoms at all. When people do have symptoms, they’re often nondescript, such as fever or fatigue.

If symptoms of hepatitis C do occur, it’s usually within 2–12 weeks of infection. Symptoms that appear years after infection may be a sign of a more serious issue, such as liver damage due to hepatitis C.

Acute hepatitis C can also become chronic in up to 85 percent of cases.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should never ignore them.

The upper right half of your abdomen is where the hepatitis C attacks occur.

Pain in the abdomen can be caused by a number of conditions, but a painful liver can be a sign of a more serious issue such as chronic liver disease or even liver cancer.

“If you experience any pain in your abdomen, don’t wait for it to go away. Make an appointment with the doctor.”

When the disease progresses, the excess fluid in the abdomen is called ascites.

“If you have eaten a lot, your abdomen may become balloon-shaped even if you haven’t, as a result.”

This symptom could be a sign that your hepatitis C infection has progressed to a more serious form of the disease. If you notice abdominal pain, call your doctor.

If you are not trying to lose weight, you may be at risk of contracting the disease.

“Chronic hepatitis C can cause scarring of the liver. You can’t maintain an appropriate amount of nutrition with cirrhosis.”

  • The appetite has been lost.
  • vomiting frequently
  • digestion abnormality
  • There is a hormone that is released.

As a result, you may lose weight.

“If you lose weight unexpectedly, you should check with your doctor to see if it’s related to cancer.”

A yellow tint to your skin or eyes is called jaundice. Red blood cells break down in the body and release a yellow substance called bilirubin.

“The bile is used to remove the bilirubin from the body. If your liver is damaged, it won’t be able to process the bilirubin.”

The skin or eyes can be discolored due to a build up of bilirubin in the body. It can lead to darker urine or stool.

If you experience symptoms of jaundice, call your doctor. It could be a sign of a serious disease.

Up to 20 percent of people living with chronic hepatitis C report pruritus, or itchy skin. It typically occurs without the appearance of a rash and isn’t relieved by scratching.

If you experience extreme itching in your hands, feet, or body, you should immediately bring it to your doctor. This symptom is most common in the later stages of the disease.

Estradiol levels can go up when the liver is damaged. Spider angiomas are blood vessels that appear underneath the skin and are a symptom of higher-than-average hormone levels. They look like red dots with lines jutting from them.

“If you have spider-like marks, you should tell your doctor. These markings are a sign that your liver isn’t functioning as it should, and can be removed with laser treatment, or fade on their own.”

The body may retain fluids with chronic hepatitis C. This type of swelling is called edema and occurs when there is a build up of fluid in the tissues of the body. These areas could become puffy or shiny.

If you experience unexplained swelling in your body, get it checked out. Edema can be a sign of an underlying condition.

“While a prescription water pill may help with the problem, it’s not the best idea to investigate the cause of the swelling.”

The body has a substance called ammonia when the bicyle breaks down. The urea is converted to ammonia in the body and then it is excreted through urine.

“When your body isn’t working as it should, elevated levels of ammonia start circulating. The excess ammonia can cause serious condition called hepatic encephalopathy.”

Cognitive changes are included in symptoms.

  • There is confusion.
  • Concentration issues
  • Reduced vigilance.
  • The attention span was shortened.
  • Slower ability to perform mental tasks
  • slurred speech

Hepatic encephalopathy is a sign of severe liver disease. It occurs in up to 70 percent of people living with cirrhosis. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

The body has a liver that is responsible for iron storage. If your liver is damaged, you can become anemic.

There are a number of symptoms seen with the damage to the liver.

  • fatigue
  • dizziness
  • The tongue is swelling.
  • brittle nails
  • The legs are very tender.

If you experience symptoms of anemia, you should see your doctor.

Screening for hepatitis C is recommended for all adults ages 18 years old and up, even those without symptoms or known liver disease. Certain individuals are especially at risk for hepatitis C, including those who:

  • Are you pregnant?
  • Children are born to mothers with the disease.
  • Have you been diagnosed with HIV?
  • Have used drugs before.
  • Have received maintenance.

If you think you are at risk for the disease, talk to a healthcare professional. Do not wait for the symptoms to show up.

If you’re experiencing any symptoms of an acute hepatitis C infection, see a healthcare professional. With the latest advances in treatment, over 90 percent of hepatitis C cases are curable. These medications can remove the virus from the body, which prevents symptoms associated with advanced liver disease.

It is possible to be positive about the presence of the disease, called hepatitis C. Some symptoms may be a sign of something more serious.

If you have been exposed to the virus or have been exposed to something else that causes a new or unusual symptom, you should talk with your doctor. Today, treatment for hepatitis C can be done with medication, which can also prevent the development of the disease.