Usually only 25 to 30% of people infected with the hepatitis C virus have symptoms, which are non-specific and can be mistaken for flu, for example. Thus, many people may be infected with the hepatitis C virus and not know, since they have never manifested symptoms.
Despite this, some of the main signs and symptoms that may be indicative of hepatitis C are yellow skin, white stools and dark urine, which can appear about 45 days after contact with the virus. So, if you think you may have this problem, select what you are feeling to assess your symptoms and know your risk of actually having hepatitis:
- 1. Pain in the upper right belly Yes No
- 2. Yellowish color in the eyes or skin Yes No
- 3. Yellowish, gray or whitish stools Yes No
- 4. Dark urine Yes No
- 5. Constant low fever Yes No
- 6. Joint pain Yes No
- 7. Loss of appetite Yes No
- 8. Frequent feeling sick or dizzy Yes No
- 9. Easy tiredness for no apparent reason Yes No
- 10. Swollen belly Yes No
Normally, patients start with changes in the stool and urine, then the fever appears and when the fever starts to subside, the yellow color appears on the skin and eyes. All of these symptoms gradually diminish and most of those infected develop chronic hepatitis C because they do not reach a cure for the disease in a timely manner.
How to confirm the diagnosis
Since the symptoms of the various types of hepatitis are very similar, it is important to consult a hepatologist to carry out the necessary tests and confirm that it is a type C hepatitis, initiating the most appropriate treatment. The diagnosis is made mainly by performing tests that assess the function of liver enzymes and serology for the hepatitis C virus.
The persistence of the hepatitis C virus in the body for long periods increases the risk of liver complications such as the risk of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer, and may require a liver transplant.
How the transmission happens
Transmission of hepatitis C occurs through contact with blood contaminated with the hepatitis C virus, with some of the main forms of transmission:
- Blood transfusion, in which the blood to be transfused did not undergo the correct analysis process; Sharing of contaminated material for piercing or tattooing; Sharing of syringes for drug use; From mother to child through normal delivery, although the risk is small.
In addition, hepatitis C can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, however this route of transmission is uncommon. The hepatitis C virus cannot be transmitted through sneezing, coughing or cutlery exchange, for example. Understand more about the transmission of hepatitis C.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for hepatitis C is guided by an infeciologist or hepatologist and must be done with antiviral drugs, such as Interferon, Daklinza and Sofosbuvir, for example, for approximately 6 months.
However, if the virus remains in the body after these periods, the person may develop chronic hepatitis C that is closely linked to cirrhosis and cancer of the liver, needing other treatments, such as liver transplantation. However, there is a risk that the patient may still be infected with the hepatitis C virus and, upon receiving the new organ, also contaminate it. Therefore, before the transplant, it is necessary to try to eradicate the virus with drugs for long months until the transplant is authorized.
In addition, chronic hepatitis C reduces the patient's physical and mental performance, compromising his quality of life, and, therefore, it is very common to find cases of depression associated with chronic hepatitis C. Learn more about treatment for hepatitis C.
See also how the food should be to recover faster in the following video:
