Symptoms & Disease Progression

Most people who have Hepatitis C do not experience any signs or symptoms for many years. If a person has had HCV for a long time they may start to experience some of the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • Dry itchy skin
  • Forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating
  • Body aches

    Disease Progression

    Approximately 20% of the people who are infected with acute HCV will recover without any treatment. The other 80% will progress to the chronic stage.

    Infection
    Hepatitis C enters the bloodstream and is carried to the liver. The virus infects more liver cells and continues to grow.
    Inflammation
    Liver cells are damaged, some die. This causes swelling in the liver.
    Fibrosis
    Scar tissue can build up over time on the liver.
    Cirrhosis
    With an increase in fibrosis, the scar tissue begins to grow into small nodules. Cirrhosis can cause permanent damage and can stop the liver from properly functioning.
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