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Hepatitis C

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Non-A or non-B hepatitis

Symptoms:

Many people who are infected with the hepatitis C do not have symptoms. Hepatitis C is often detected during blood tests for a routine physical or other medical procedure. If the infection has been present for many years, the liver may be permanently scarred -- a condition called cirrhosis. In many cases, there may be no symptoms of the disease until cirrhosis has developed.

The following symptoms could occur with hepatitis C infection:

• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain  (right upper abdomen)
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting  
• Low-grade fever
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Dark urine
• Generalized itching
• Ascites  
• Bleeding varices  (dilated veins in the esophagus)

Signs and tests:

• Hepatitis virus serology
• ELISA assay to detect hepatitis C antibody
• Hepatitis C PCR test
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Liver biopsy shows chronic inflammation
• Hepatitis C genotype. Six genotypes are present around the world. Most Americans have genotype 1 infection, which is the most difficult to treat.

References:

Rocca LG. Management of patients with hepatitis C in a community setting: diagnosis, discussions and decisions to treat. Ann Fam Med . 2004; 2(2): 116-124.

• Review Date: 5/4/2006
• Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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