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Signs and symptoms
Hepatitis C is a disease with different stages. The first stage involves incubation and the initial propagation of the virus in the liver. This stage is asymptomatic or has nonspecific symptoms such as muscle pain (myalgias), joint pain (arthralgias), tingling (paresthesia), and pruritus. Patients may also report a sensory neuropathy or Sicca syndrome (exocrine gland dryness).
As the virus continues replicating, there are not many signs and symptoms of the disease. They are only apparent when the liver disease has become severe. The patient suffers from portal hypertension and liver decompensation, causing signs such as:
- In the hands, erythema or redness of the palms, finger contractures (Dupuytren’s disease), or clubbing of the fingers.
- Muscle wasting
- Parotid gland enlargement
- Jaundice as apparent in the white portion of the eyes
- Small testes or gynecomastia
- Ascites and hepatosplenomegaly
- Other types of edema, especially in the ankle
- Red dots in the skin (petechiae)
- A very characteristic odor named fetor hepaticus
In severe cases, patients may experience advanced liver disease symptoms, such as changes in their consciousness levels (confusion, stupor, coma) and gastrointestinal bleeding (melena or hematemesis). Ascites and abdominal distention are usually found in a late stage of the disease, too.
Some patients may also experience severe complications, including a type of renal disease known as glomerulonephritis, blood cell alterations such as thrombocytopenic purpura, blood circulation problems such as Raynaud syndrome interstitial tissue problems such as necrotizing cutaneous vasculitis.
