Hepatitis (HEP-uh-TYE-tis) C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. Once it is inside your body, it makes copies of itself, which then infect more cells.
“Acute” (uh-KYOOT) hepatitis C is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the virus. In some people, the body clears the hepatitis C virus and there are no long-term problems.
In many people with hep C, signs or symptoms may not appear for years. However, people infected with acute hep C may have mild symptoms early on, which generally behave like the flu. They may include:
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
You may not look or feel sick,
but the hepatitis C virus may be
damaging your liver.
but the hepatitis C virus may be
damaging your liver.
Unfortunately, in about 8 out of 10 people with hep C, the virus stays in the body for many years—this is called “chronic” (KRAH-nik) hepatitis C. Over time, chronic hepatitis C may cause damage: weakening liver cells and eventually killing them. This process can leave behind scarred liver tissue or “fibrosis” (FYE-BRO-sis).
As the damage and scarring progresses, it becomes harder for the liver to work properly. The final stage of liver scarring is known as cirrhosis (sir-RO-sis). At this point, some people may begin to experience symptoms such as:
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes, also called jaundice
(JAWN-dis) - Muscle and joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
Talk to your doctor about getting tested for
hep C—TODAY.
hep C—TODAY.