The manifestation of Hepatitis C symptoms is dependent upon how severe the infection has become as a result of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). These symptoms may either be classified as either mild or severe. The mildest symptoms are barely recognizable in a way that 80% of individuals with Hepatitis C are unaware of it. Severe hepatitis C symptoms, on the other hand result in other health problems that could be debilitating.
Hepatitis is a medical problem described by the inflammation of the liver that is as a result of wide variety of factors such as: chronic intake of alcohol, specific medication, harmful substances, and toxins, as well as other kinds of contagious conditions. The most prevalent cause of Hepatitis as a result of the Hepatitis C virus, one of the several viruses that cause liver inflammation.
The swelling of the liver brought on by an infection of HCV is no other than Hepatitis C. Without immediate treatment, the HCV infection can lead to long term effects that could potentially cause severe liver disease. If Hepatitis C symptoms are taken for granted, liver disease can advance to eventual liver failure.
This is fatal and liver transplant is the only available treatment. This life-threatening disease has 75% to 85% of HCV infected people developing chronic Hepatitis C.
The U.S and other countries throughout the world are worried about the growing cases of Hepatitis C in their places. Annually, there are 17,000 new (acute) cases of HCV infections the USA alone, where in 8,000-10,000 of which lead to fatality. The increasing mortality rate in the USA are due to cirrhosis, liver cancer and end-stage liver disease due to HCV infection
Around 1 out of 5 individuals, who have contracted HCV can present Hepatitis C symptoms. Such symptoms emerge with varying levels of severity. It also is classified into two kinds of infections: acute infections and chronic infections.
Acute Infection: No Hepatitis C symptoms are detected upon earliest time of HCV infection. The majority of recently infected patients, or 80%, are asymptomatic. With the 20% remaining cases, the newly infected patients reveal symptoms such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, exhaustion, or yellow jaundice. The yellow discoloration of the skin occurs when bilirubin, a yellow-colored compound, increases in the body and brings about the tinting of the whites of eyes as well as skin. Consequently, urine and stools unusually become 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. People who have chronic hepatitis C symptoms manifest vague symptoms like tiredness and occasionally there aren’t any overt or obvious signs or symptoms. Nonetheless asymptomatic patients are more vulnerable to have progressive liver damage. Roughly 15% – 30% of chronic Hepatitis C patients have developed cirrhosis or scarring of the liver over time. Liver cirrhosis is a condition that is also linked to alcoholism, occurs when healthy tissue of the liver is replaced with fibrous tissue, then, this fibrous tissue hardens in the liver. Cirrhosis results in the gradual failure of the liver until it loses its capacity to accomplish its normal functions. It is only after 20-30 years of infection will the signs and symptoms of cirrhosis are likely to appear. A few of these signs and symptoms are listed here:
. Fluid retention that brings about swelling of belly (ascites), legs (edema) or the whole body (anasarca)
. Disturbances in sleeping
. Physical weakness
. Itchy skin
. Persistent jaundice
. Weight loss and loss of appetite
. Blood in vomit
. Mental disturbances, ex. hallucinations (hepatic encephalopathy), or extreme drowsiness
It is usually recommended to go and visit a physician when these signs and symptoms are experienced. 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 chronic or acute, Hepatitis C symptoms should be noted in order to avoid additional problems and health problems.
Hepatitis C symptoms reflect the severity of the infection as a result of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Such Hepatitis C symptoms can either be classified as either mild or severe. The mildest symptoms are hardly recognizable in a way that 80% of individuals with Hepatitis C are unaware of it. On the other hand, severe symptoms result in other health problems that may be debilitating.
Hepatitis is a medical problem defined by the inflammation of the liver that is as a result of wide variety of factors including: overexposure to alcohol, use of certain drugs, hazardous chemicals, and toxins, or by various other transmittable conditions. The most frequent reason for this liver disease is due to the Hepatitis C virus, one of the several viruses that cause liver inflammation.
Hepatitis C Symptoms and Types of Infections
The swelling of the liver caused by an infection of HCV is no other than Hepatitis C. Without immediate treatment, the HCV infection can bring about chronic effects that can cause severe liver disease. If Hepatitis C symptoms are taken for granted, liver disease can progress to eventual failure of the liver.
This is life threatening and liver transplant is the only available treatment. This life-threatening disease has 75% to 85% of HCV infected people developing chronic Hepatitis C.
The increasing cases of Hepatitis C have alarmed not only the United States but various other countries all over the world as well. For USA alone, there are 17,000 new (acute) cases of HCV infections annually, where in 8,000 to 10,000 of which lead to death. The growing death rate in America are attributable to cirrhosis, liver cancer and end-stage liver disease due to HCV infection
Hepatitis C symptoms can reveal in about 1 out of 5 individuals, who are infected with HCV. Such manifestations show up with varying severity. It also is categorized into two kinds of infections: acute infections and chronic infections.
Acute Infection: There aren’t any Hepatitis C symptoms detected upon earliest time of HCV infection. The majority of recently infected patients, or 80%, are asymptomatic. With the 20% remaining cases, the newly infected individuals manifest symptoms like abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, or yellow jaundice. The yellow discoloration of the skin develops when the substance bilirubun, increases in the body and results in the discoloration of the sclera of the eyes and skin. At the same time, urine and stools unusually become 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. Individuals who acquired chronic hepatitis C symptoms present vague symptoms like fatigue and occasionally there are no evident signs or symptoms. Nonetheless progressive liver damage can happen especially for asymptomatic patients. 15% to 30% of the cases of chronic Hepatitis C usually resulted in development of “cirrhosis” or scarring of the liver. Liver cirrhosis is a disorder also linked to alcoholism, occurs when healthy tissue of the liver is substituted with fibrous tissue, after which, hardening of the fibrous tissue. Liver cirrhosis results in the progressive liver failure until eventually the organ loses its capacity to accomplish its normal functions. Symptoms of liver cirrhosis appear 20-30 years after infection. Some of these symptoms are shown below:
. Fluid retention that brings about swelling of legs (edema), belly (ascites), or the whole body (anasarca)
. Disturbances in sleeping
. Fatigue
. Itchy skin
. Long-term jaundice
. Weight loss and loss of appetite
. Blood in vomit
. Mental disturbances, ex. hallucinations (hepatic encephalopathy), or extreme sleepiness
Upon experiencing any of the manifestations, immediately see a doctor. Much better, have a routine check up to avoid acquiring any contagious conditions like Hepatitis C. Whether the HCV infection is acute or chronic, the Hepatitis C symptoms must be considered in order to avoid further challenges and health problems.
Brandy Collins is a healthcare professional who has spent the last 25 years caring for those with Hepatitis C symptoms.