Hepatitis is a disease that causes severe damage and inflammation to the liver. Though not fatal, some forms of hepatitis can cause serious liver damage. This can cause complications such as cirrhosis (or scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, and liver failure. Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that attacks the liver cells. It can be spread by blood-to-blood contact, if a patient comes in contact with infectious secretions or fluids via the following sources:

• Sharing needles or personal care items such as razors, etc.
• Healthcare needle injuries.
• Babies born to mothers who are hep C positive.
• Getting a tattoo or piercing with unclean equipment.
• Although rare, having unproteced sex with a hep C positive individual.
• Patients who’ve undergone blood transfusions, blood products, or organ donations prior to 1992.

Symptoms and signs of hepatitis C can vary. Some symptoms can appear within weeks, and some can take years. The phase where symptoms do not readily occur is called Acute phase. Acute hepatitis C infection can be cured, does not always become chronic, and studies reveal that approximately 15%-25% of patients react to antiviral therapy. The most common symptom of hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver, known as cirrhosis. As the disease progresses, some symptoms may appear, such as:

1. Jaundice

Jaundice may occur with early hep C infection as well as years later. With jaundice the skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellowish in color due to too excess chemical buildup of bilirubin in the blood.

2. Vomiting, nausea, fatigue

While many patients who are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C experience very few symptoms in the early stages, some report flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss.

3. Bleeding and abdominal 

Some patients experience bleeding from fatty deposits around the liver or bile ducts, or due to gallstones. Abdominal pain may also occur in later stages of hep C, if cirrhosis is present.

4. Dark urine

During early hep c virus contraction, urine may become darker in color due to increased liver enzymes in the body.

5. Odd colored stools

Clay-colored stools may also indicate later stage chronic HCV infection with chronic liver inflammation and/or liver infection.