Hepatitis C is a type of disease that is caused by the hepatitis C virus. According to studies in the United States, there are approximately 36,000 persons who are infected by this disease each year. Although this is a milder condition compared to any other type of hepatitis, still it can lead to chronic liver disease if left untreated. Approximately 4 million people are said to be chronic HCV carriers. And 70% of these carriers will develop chronic liver disease if they are not diagnosed early on. This percentage is so high because many people with this disease have no symptoms. Regardless of whether they have symptoms, the condition will worsen if not treated immediately.

Hepatitis C, in most people, has no symptoms. But when symptoms are present, they can range from mild to severe. The most common and early symptoms of hepatitis C are mild fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. These symptoms might seem very natural to some people who experience them, so they will not likely think that they are suffering from hepatitis C. They would probably just associate these with stress and other conditions, but not with hepatitis C.

As a result, these people will most likely ignore what they are feeling until they experience the later symptoms of hepatitis C, which include dark, coffee-colored urine, clay-colored stools, abdominal pain, and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, which is better known as jaundice. In most cases, it is only after these later symptoms are evident that a person will undergo tests to determine their condition.

Hepatitis C symptoms should not be taken lightly, even if they are mild. If you notice any of these signs and symptoms, you must seek medical attention in order for your doctor to recommend you to undergo a blood test. Remember that an early diagnosis of hepatitis C is essential in order to prevent you from its long-term effects.