Hepatitis C, a viral infection, affects the liver. A blood-borne virus known as the HCV is the progenitor of this condition. It causes inflammation of the liver, and can potentially lead to severe and permanent liver damage. For most people, Hepatitis C is a long-term disease that causes serious health issues and may sometimes lead to death.

HCV spreads via infected blood. Sadly, there is no vaccine for this disease, and so it is vital to take precautionary measures and avoid contact with the virus. Individuals noticing early warning signs of hepatitis C should consult their doctor immediately so that the condition can be treated effectively.

Symptoms and warning signs
In long-term or chronic hepatitis, the virus remains inactive for many years. Sometimes, people are unaware of this condition until their liver has been damaged. The symptoms can appear after six months of being infected. The early warning signs of hepatitis C include:

• Loss of appetite and nausea
• Stomach ache
• Feeling tired and weary
• Yellow patches occurring on the skin and in the sclera region of the eye
• Skin irritation and itchiness
• Legs swelling up
• Dark urine
• Garbled speech and confusion
• Loss of weight
• Abnormal bruising and bleeding patterns
• Protruded veins like in angioma

Acute hepatitis may eventually lead to chronic hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis can lead to serious conditions, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis involves permanent scarring of the liver and may cause the liver cells to die.

Diagnostic techniques for hepatitis C
When the disease is in its acute stage, it may not show any symptoms. Hence, it becomes difficult to diagnose the disease. In some cases, the affected person’s immune system can tackle the disease. However, the disease may turn chronic. Several tests are available to detect the presence of HCV. These include:

• Liver biopsy
  This technique involves the extraction of a small part of the liver tissue. The tissue is then sent over to a laboratory for testing. The sample is extracted with a needle and ultrasound.
• MRE
  Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can detect fibrosis in the liver by creating an image with magnetic resonance imaging. Sound waves are reflected on the surface of the liver to create an image from which the stiffness of the liver’s tissue can be detected.
• Blood tests
  Blood tests can determine the quantity and nature of the virus present in the system. Antigen and antibody tests can detect the presence of different HCV viruses.
• Transient elastography
  This is another technique involving ultrasound and is used to test the stiffness of the liver’s tissue.

These tests are meant to be done under professional supervision. This is important so that there are no discrepancies in the results. Hepatitis C is a potentially lethal disease and one should not ignore the signs . With antiviral medication, the disease can be cured in most cases.