The symptoms of Hepatitis C

Although hepatitis C damages the liver, 80% of people with the disease do not have symptoms. In those who do, symptoms may not appear for 10-20 years, or even longer. Even then, the symptoms usually come and go and are mild and vague. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, the damage may be very serious.
Hepatitis C infection usually produces no signs or symptoms during its earliest stages. When signs and symptoms do occur, they’re generally mild and flu-like and may include:

* Fatigue
* Fever
* Nausea or poor appetite
* Muscle and joint pains
* Tenderness in the area of your liver

What causes hepatitis C?

You can get hepatitis C if your blood comes into contact with blood from someone who already has the virus. The most common cause of transmission is the sharing of needles and other equipment used to inject illegal drugs. Less common causes of transmission include:

* Sharing a razor, toothbrush or nail clipper with an infected person
* Accidental exposure to infected blood among health care or public safety workers
* Exposure to unclean tattooing or body-piercing instruments
* Unprotected anal sex or exposure to multiple sex partners

In rare cases, hepatitis C can be spread from an infected mother to her child at birth. It cannot be spread by breast-feeding.

Tags: Hepatitis C