Hepatitis causes liver inflammation and can be of many types. Hepatitis C is a common type of liver infection that damages the organ and can cause liver failure if not attended to at the earliest. The symptoms and diagnosis of hepatitis C are fairly simple but should be kept in mind, as ignoring this infection can be detrimental to health.

Symptoms

• Abnormally colored stool
  If the color of the stool seems to be more clayish than normal, it might indicate hepatitis C and needs a visit to the doctor.
• Jaundice
  Jaundice is an infection that damages the liver. Although not always a symptom, jaundice is a potent sign of hepatitis C. It can be identified by yellow discoloration in the skin and eyes, and it is also a sign that the liver is not functioning properly.
• Dark urine
  Clear and dark brown urine is a sign of liver abnormality and hepatitis C, and it can eventually lead to liver cirrhosis.
• Fever
  Mild to severe fever can develop if one drinks water contaminated with the hepatitis C virus.
• Nausea
  Nausea is a common symptom of the hepatitis C viral infection. People with this infection generally experience vomiting or lack of balance.
• Abdominal pain
  Infection or inflammation in the liver can lead to severe stomach pain in the lower abdominal area.
• Loss of appetite
  Hepatitis C can make the patient’s taste buds incapable of detecting flavors and also lead to the loss of appetite.
• Fatigue
  Hepatitis C can lead to exhaustion and fatigue, and patients may be unable to perform daily activities without feeling tired.

Other symptoms that manifest due to a hepatitis C infection include joint pain.

Diagnosis

• Anti-HCV antibody testing
  This is a simple blood test that helps a doctor check for the presence of hepatitis C antibodies. The presence of these antibodies means that one has either been affected a while ago or is currently infected.
• HCV RNA
  If hepatitis C antibodies are found in one’s body, this test is conducted to understand the amount of RNA or genetic material that streams in the blood after being infected by Hepatitis C.
• Liver function test
  Liver function tests are conducted about 7 to 8 weeks after one has been identified or suspected to have hepatitis C. This test measures the protein and enzyme levels in the patient’s liver.
• Genotype test
  This is another type of blood test that identifies the exact type of hepatitis.

Hepatitis C can be both short-term and long-term, and both types have different symptoms. Usually, a short-term or acute infection turns chronic and slowly damages the liver, so it’s important not to disregard the symptoms. Also, one should watch out for the symptoms and facilitate early diagnosis of hepatitis C to ensure timely treatment and prevent complications.