Often, people infected with hepatitis C have no symptoms--even when the infection has been in their bodies for years.
If symptoms are present, they may be vague and include:
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
- Dark urine
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (called "jaundice") in rare cases
In some cases, hepatitis C may lead to an increase in certain liver enzymes, which can be detected during routine blood tests. However, some people with chronic hepatitis C may have fluctuating or even normal liver enzyme levels. Therefore, it is important to get tested if you think you are at risk for hepatitis C, or if you have come into contact with an infected person or object. A blood test is used to identify the disease.
