Identify: HCV

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

Many people are unaware of a hepatitis C infection because the symptoms can take many years to manifest. The majority of those with an acute infection will not show symptoms, but if they do, symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored bowel movements
• Joint and muscle pain
• Yellow color of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

Symptoms that occur with a chronic infection are due to liver damage and these symptoms can include:

• Easy bleeding and bruising
• Itchy skin
• Fluid build-up in the abdomen
• Leg swelling
• Weight loss
• Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech

What tests are performed to diagnose hepatitis C?

Infection with hepatitis C is diagnosed through a simple blood test. The first part of the test checks for the presence of hepatitis C antibodies, to determine of the body has previously encountered the virus. The second part of the test checks for the presence of the virus itself (hepatitis C RNA), to determine if there is an ongoing hepatitis C infection.

Interpretation	HCV antibodies	HCV RNA
No infection	–	N/A
Previous infection	+	–
Confirmed infection	+	+