Hepatitis C affects millions of Americans, many of whom may not realize they are infected. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, however, it is highly curable—but left untreated, it can lead to serious and potentially fatal conditions.
That’s why it is so important to be alert for any signs of the virus, especially if you are at a high risk of infection.
Here’s what doctors want you to know about hepatitis C and its symptoms, including the one symptom you should never ignore.
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What Is Hepatitis C?
According to the American Liver Foundation , hepatitis C (often referred to as HCV) is a disease caused when a virus (hepatitis C) infects the liver. There are other varieties of the hepatitis virus—hepatitis A and hepatitis B—that are related but differ in their symptoms, how they are spread, and how they are treated.
The CDC estimates that more than 2.4 million people had hepatitis C from 2017 through 2020. However, since many people with hepatitis C don’t show any obvious symptoms and may not even know they have the disease, the actual number could be significantly higher.
Hepatitis C can be acute or chronic. The CDC says most people who get the virus will develop a lifelong, chronic infection. If it isn’t treated, this can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening conditions such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, according to the American Liver Foundation.
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How Hepatitis C Is Spread
Hepatitis C is spread through blood-to-blood contact, meaning you would be exposed to it by coming into contact with the blood of someone who is already infected. The American Liver Foundation says it is usually spread via intravenous needles, improperly sterilized tattoo needles or body piercing equipment, sharing personal items like toothbrushes, or sexual contact.
How Hepatitis C Is Diagnosed
Hepatitis C is diagnosed via a blood test. Anyone who exhibits possible symptoms should be tested—but since many people who get infected with the virus don’t show any symptoms, the CDC recommends that all adults 18 and older should be screened for it at least once, and pregnant people should be screened during each pregnancy. They also recommend that people who are at high risk be tested at least once, and medical personnel should be tested after an accidental needle stick.
“Those with known risk factors, such as a history of intravenous drug use, blood transfusions before 1992, or other exposures, should be particularly vigilant,” says Dr. Matthew Mintz, MD , Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at The George Washington University School of Medicine, who also has a private practice in Rockville, Maryland. “Pregnant individuals should also be aware of their hepatitis C status, as the virus can be transmitted from mother to baby.”
The One Unexpected Sign of Hepatitis C You Shouldn't Ignore
While it's true that oftentimes hepatitis C shows no symptoms, fatigue—often accompanied by joint pain—is among the earliest symptoms of hepatitis C, doctors say. “In the early stages of the infections (first six months) people might experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, general fatigue, and muscle aches,” says Dr. Mintz.
Of course, those same symptoms can also be associated with the flu or a wide range of other conditions ranging from minor to serious, which is why it is so important to seek a medical evaluation to determine what may be causing your symptoms.
Other Symptoms of Hepatitis C To Look Out For
Depending on the type of hepatitis C someone has or how long they’ve had it, they may experience other symptoms, particularly if the disease has progressed to more serious stages.
“In acute hepatitis, it would be jaundice, or going yellow, while for others it might be belly pain,” says Dr. Richard Gilroy, MD, transplant hepatologist and Intermountain Health’s liver transplant medical director. “Much later and when cirrhosis is present signs include jaundice, abdominal swelling, and confusion.”
“Other symptoms can include dark urine that may appear brown or tea-colored, abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right side (where the liver is located), loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, as well as muscle and joint pain,” says Dr. Mintz. “Jaundice of the skin can also cause Itching, which is another possible symptom.”
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It's important to remember that one of the challenges with diagnosing hepatitis C is that it often doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms. “Hepatitis C, like most of the viral hepatitis groups that are acquired by blood transmission, are way more often silent than they are felt,” says Dr. Gilroy. “This is why we recommend screening one time for those over the age of 18 and also screening for those at risk.”
Other doctors echo that same observation and advice. “Many individuals with hepatitis C, especially in the chronic phase, have no have no obvious symptoms,” says Dr. Mintz. “This is why the infection is often referred to as ‘silent,’ as it can progress without any noticeable signs until significant liver damage has occurred. Chronic hepatitis C can remain asymptomatic for years, which is why regular screening is crucial for those at risk.”
Hepatitis C Treatment
The good news is that when caught early and treated promptly with oral antiviral medications, hepatitis C can be cured in most cases. “Advances in treatment have been substantial; modern therapies, especially direct-acting antiviral therapy, are highly effective and can cure most people with hepatitis C, and are generally well-tolerated,” says Dr. Mintz.
Next up, find out which foods are the best for your liver .
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