SYMPTOMS
Hepatitis C often has no symptoms, and symptoms may develop later on as their liver becomes damaged. If left untreated, the infection can eventually cause the liver to become scarred, ie. cirrhosis.
Early Symptoms
- A high temperature of 38c (100.4f) or above
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pains
- Feeling and being sick
Later Symptoms
- Feeling tired all the time
- Joint and muscle aches and pains
- Feeling sick
- Problems with short-term memory, concentration and completing complex mental tasks.
- Mood swings
- Depression or anxiety
- Indigestion or bloating
- Itchy skin
- Abdominal pain
WHO SHOULD GET TESTED?
Hepatitis C often has no symptoms, so you may be infected without realising.
- Current or previous drug users
- Those who live in areas where Hepatitis C is high risk
- Sexual partners of those with Hepatitis C
- Those who received blood transfusions before Sept 1991, or UK recipients of organ transplants before 1992
- Children whose mother have Hepatitis C
- Anyone who thinks they were exposed to the virus, or have symptoms.
WHAT TESTS ARE AVAILABLE?
There are 2 blood tests available, the antibody test and PCR test.
THE ANTIBODY TEST
This test determines whether you have previously been exposed to the virus by testing for the presence of antibodies.
If a test is negative but you have symptoms then this may be because not enough time has passed for your body to produce antibodies, and a second future test is advisable.
If you test positive it does not necessarily mean you have the virus currently, but just that you were previously infected.
The only way to tell if to have a second blood test, called a PCR test.
THE PCR TEST
The PCR blood test checks if the virus is still present by detecting whether it is currently reproducing inside your body.
A positive test means your body has not fought off the virus.
Find out more on the NHS website
