Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Eighty percent of people with hepatitis C have no symptoms. Over time, the disease can cause serious liver damage.

Symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
• Darker colored urine
• Light or chalky colored stools
• Loose, light-colored stools
• Abdominal pain
• Aches and pains
• Itching
• Hives
• Joint pain
• Cigarette smokers may suddenly dislike the taste of cigarettes
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Chronic hepatitis C infection may cause some of the above symptoms, as well as:

• Weakness
• Severe fatigue
• Loss of appetite

Serious complications of hepatitis C infection include:

• chronic infection that will lead to cirrhosis (scarring) and progressive liver failure
• Increased risk of liver cancer