Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Digestive system Hepatitis C Digestive system organs

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Hepatitis C

Alternative Names: Non-A or non-B hepatitis Symptoms: Many people who are infected with the hepatitis C do not have symptoms. Hepatitis C is often detected during blood tests for a routine physical or other medical procedure. If the infection has been present for many years, the liver may be permanently scarred -- a condition called cirrhosis. In many cases, there may be no symptoms of the disease until cirrhosis has developed. Text Continues Below The following symptoms could occur: Jaundice Abdominal pain (right upper abdomen) Fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Low-grade fever Pale or clay-colored stools Dark urine Generalized itching Ascites Bleeding varices (dilated veins in the esophagus) Signs and tests: Hepatitis virus serology ELISA assay to detect hepatitis C antibody Hepatitis C PCR test Elevated liver enzymes Liver biopsy shows chronic inflammation Hepatitis C genotype. Six genotypes are present around the world. Most Americans have genotype 1 infection, which has lower response rates to treatment.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.