Hepatitis C history and symptoms

Acute HCV infection is often asymptomatic and may only manifest as fatigue and a low grade fever. Patients with chronic infection may present late with symptoms of liver cirrhosis. Patients are often diagnosed incidentally following an abnormal liver function test panel.

Approximately 70%–80% of people with acute hepatitis C do not develop any symptoms early in the disease course. The majority of patients with chronic hepatitis C present at an advanced disease stage, usually due to the manifestations of the liver cirrhosis. Although asymptomatic, up to two-third patients present with extra-liver manifestations.^[1] In asymptomatic patients, hepatitis C is often detected following the incidental finding of abnormal liver function tests.^[2] If symptoms occur, the average time is 6–7 weeks after exposure, but this can range from 2 weeks to 6 months. Patients may develop mild to severe symptoms soon after being infected, including:^[2]

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Anorexia
• Arthralgia
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Indicate advanced liver disease. Less commonly seen in acute infection.

Indicate advanced live disease.

• Vasculitis,
• Renal injury and dark-colored urine
• Skin manifestations such as porphyria cutanea tarda

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