Acute hepatitis C is almost indistinguishable from acute hepatitis B
infection. Patients with acute hepatitis C are frequently asymptomatic
(meaning that they have no symptoms), even when liver tests are
abnormal. - “Hepatitis C & E: how much of a threat?” Special Issue:
Emerging Infectious Diseases, Brown, Edwin A., May 15 1994, v28, n9,
p105(8).
Soon after contracting the infection many people have a flu-like illness with
fatigue, fever, muscular aches and pain, nausea and vomiting. About 10%
of patients become jaundiced (their skin turns yellow). Generally these
symptoms resolve and the patient has no symptoms of liver disease for
many years. Symptoms may occur from two weeks to six months after
exposure but usually within two months.
What are the symptoms of chronic infection and cirrhosis? The symptoms of
chronic infection range from no symptoms at all, to gradually progressive
fatigue and lack of energy, to complete debility. The effects of the
virus vary widely between individuals.
The symptoms of cirrhosis include progressive fatigue, jaundice (yellow skin),
icterus (yellow eyes), dark urine (the color of cola), abdominal
swelling, muscle wasting, itching, disorientation and confusion, loss of
appetite, and easy bruisability.
In an informal survey of hepatitis C symptoms, Scott Warren swarren@idir.net
polled 50 people on the HEPV-L list and compiled the following results:
FATIGUE, WEAKNESS, TIREDNESS - 72%
JOINT, MUSCLE PAINS - 52%
MEMORY LOSS, MENTAL CONFUSION - 50%
SKIN PROBLEMS-DRY\ITCHY\RASHES\SPOTS - 44%
DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, IRRITABILITY, ETC - 44%
INDIGESTION, NAUSEA, VOMITING, GAS - 34%
SLEEP DISTURBANCES - 32%
PAIN OR DISCOMFORT IN ABDOMEN - 32%
CHILLS, SWEATING, HOT \ COLD FLASHES - 26%
EYE OR EYESIGHT PROBLEMS - 24%
SENSITIVITY TO HEAT OR COLD - 22%
NO SYMPTOMS - 20%
VERTIGO, DIZZINESS, COORDINATION - 18%
FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS - 18%
HEADACHES - 18%
URINARY PROBLEMS, ODOR, COLORATION - 16%
FEVER - 16%
SLOW HEALING AND RECOVERY - 14%
SUSCEPTIBLENESS TO ILLNESS \ FLU - 14%
WEIGHT GAIN, WATER RETENTION - 10%
MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS - 10%
APPETITE \ WEIGHT LOSS - 8%
SWELLING OF STOMACH, LEGS OR FEET - 8%
ORAL, OR MOUTH SORES \ PROBLEMS - 8%
EXCESSIVE BLEEDING - 4%
