Common Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral disease affecting the largest organ in the body, the liver. It is the most common blood-borne disease in the country. It is also a major reason for a kidney transplant in the western world. Hepatitis transmits through Injectable Drug Use (IDU) and sharing of needles. The hepatitis C virus survives at room temperature for about three weeks. The malignancy ranges from acute to becoming chronic in 80% of the cases. It is a silent killer as people do not realize they are affected by the virus. So, they often unknowingly pass on the infection to others. Early diagnosis can prevent chronic infection. The symptoms of hepatitis C coincide with final stage liver problems. Chronic hepatitis C over a span of 20 years leads to cirrhosis. Identifying the signs The symptoms of hepatitis C are invisible, so it’s called a silent epidemic. The patient isn’t aware that he or she is affected by the virus. Acute hepatitis C is left undiagnosed due to the absence of symptoms. The onset of early symptoms of hepatitis C is 4 to 15 weeks. When the symptoms of hepatitis C occur, you cannot distinguish it from normal viral infections. Abdominal discomfort, nausea, fever, and fatigue are common symptoms of hepatitis C infection.