What Can Hepatitis C Cause?
Out of 100 people with hepatitis C
● One in four people will eliminate the virus naturally in the first 12 months and thus be virus free
● The remaining 75% will continue to have the virus in their bodies, but may not experience symptoms
● Without medical treatment, about 30 people will develop symptoms that will become noticeable 10 to 15 years after infection
● After 20 years, about 10 people without treatment will develop serious liver damage. Among these 10 people, five will suffer from kidney failure or liver cancer
● Many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms of hepatitis C. The most common symptoms are: tiredness (fatigue), nausea and abdominal pain.
The viral component of hepatitis C is carried in the blood therefore it is not as readily distributed as other infectious diseases. Treatments exist, but some may have other significant and negative side effects. Your only choice is to take precautions to stop and prevent yourself from being being contaminated.
You can get regular hepatitis C screenings [7] if you are at a higher risk of having hepatitis C than the general public. The earlier you know, the higher your chances are of good hepatitis C treatment if you possibly get hepatitis C.
References:
[1] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/294705#diagnosis-and-tests
[2] https://www.healthline.com/health/hepatitis-c#symptoms
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/liver-cancer
[4] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/294705#causes-and-risk-factors
[5] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/294705#causes-and-risk-factors
[6] https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92029/