Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Signs & Symptoms
Those who are infected and experiencing symptoms can experience a drop in their appetite, fatigue, nausea, lethargy, abdominal pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) (Health Canada, 2009). Those infected may also bruise easily and have lighter than normal coloured stool (National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 2012). Other symptoms that have been observed can include a rash on the palms, spider-like blood vessels, a longer time for blood to clot, and men can experience a breast enlargement (MedicineNet, 2012).
The virus may disappear on its own but if it persists for over 6 months it will be chronic and this occurs in about 75 out of 100 cases (Canadian Liver Foundation, 2012). If the infection persists to become chronic, liver failure can occur. In advanced cases, increased blood pressure in the liver can cause fluid to collect in the abdominal cavity, this engorges the veins in the esophagus which can suddenly and massively bleed. Hypertension in the body can also cause kidney failure or enlarge the spleen. If the spleen becomes enlarged, anemia can occur from the decrease of blood cells (MedicineNet, 2012).
Article References
Canadian Liver Foundation. (2012). Hepatitis C. Retrieved 07 26, 2012, from Canadian Liver Foundation: http://www.liver.ca/liver-disease/types/viral_hepatitis/Hepatitis_C.aspx
Health Canada. (2009, 05 08). Hepatitis C. Retrieved 07 26, 2012, from Health Canada: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/hepc-eng.php
MedicineNet. (2012). Hepatitis C Infection. Retrieved 07 26, 2012, from MedicineNet: http://www.medicinenet.com/hepatitis_c/article.htm
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. (2012, 05 10). What I need to know about Hepatitis C. Retrieved 07 26, 2012, from NDDIC: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hepc_ez/
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2012, 06 11). Hepatits C. Retrieved 07 26, 2012, from Public Health Agency of Canada: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hepc/index-eng.php
RedOrbit. (2012, 07 18). Study Shows Nothing Beneficial in treating Hepatitis C With Milk Thistle Extract. Retrieved 07 26, 2012, from RedOrbit: http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112658538/study-shows-nothing-beneficial-in-treating-hepatitis-c-with-milk-thistle-extract/
Image References
Someone else's art deserves recognition! The images presented in this article were borrowed from the following places:
Header Image: http://images.askmen.com/1080x540/news/sports/hepatitis-c-cure-1092921-TwoByOne.jpg | Retrieved May 1, 2015
Image 2: http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/0_images_2008/fatty2.gif | Retrieved July 26, 2012