Symptoms
There are many symptoms of hepatitis C, and each person will
experience the virus differently, having some, many, or no
symptoms at all. Many people experience the symptoms of hepatitis
C for some time without realising the cause. The virus is
slow acting and can take around 10 to 15 years
from infection before symptoms of liver disease, if any, develop.
Some people may never experience any symptoms. There is no
way to predict how the virus will affect each individual or
over what period of time symptoms may develop.
Some of the symptoms that people experience may include:
Flu like symptoms; alternate chills and fevers
Pain in the liver region
Tiredness; chronic fatigue or sudden attacks of exhaustion
Night sweats
Abdominal bloating
Nausea/indigestion
Increased perspiration
Some less common symptoms are:
Joint and muscle pain
Depression, irritability mood swings
Poor concentration and forgetfulness
Itching and skin problems
Adverse reactions to alcohol and fatty foods
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea
Irritable bowel syndrome
The main strategies people use to cope with and reduce the
symptoms of hepatitis C are attention to diet, avoidance of
drugs, staying fit, decreasing stress and using alternative/complementary
medicine.
For more information about this topic go to the Hepatitis Australia website at www.hepatitisaustralia.com
or see Frequently Asked Questions on the NSW Hepatitis C Council
website at www.hepatitisc.org.au/quickref/faq.html.
Please note: This information DOES NOT aim to replace the
advice that would be provided by a doctor or other health
care worker. People who have hepatitis C should regularly
see their doctor, who can provide monitoring, up-to-date information,
advice, and counselling if needed. |
