Hepatitis C is frequently referred to as the silent killer because the individual is frequently unaware of its presence until the disease is in an advanced stage. The most common way to determine if you have Hepatitis C is through a blood test. HCV is an inflammatory virus that adversely affects the liver, sometimes the kidneys, and sometimes other organs of the body.
Since Hepatitis C can be unknown to the host there are some signs that you should watch for to determine if you may have it and require testing. Here are 5 signs that may trigger your need to get further testing from your physician.
Presence of a fever indicates that the body has an infection that it is trying to eliminate. There is a potential that people with Hepatitis C may experience a low-grade fever. This can also become chills and sweating if the fever increases in severity. While a fever may be a sign of many different ailments, but if seen with other symptoms it may be beneficial to get tested.
2. Muscle Pain
Muscle pain can be seen with many ailments, so it does not necessarily indicate that you have Hepatitis C. This is one of the less common side effects of the disease and the etiology is at present not entirely clear. However, if muscle and joint pain exhibit concurrently with other symptoms of the disease, it would be prudent to consult your physician.
3. Discoloured Urine
Normal urine should be clear with a slightly yellowish tinge. Since Hepatitis C prohibits the liver from properly processing bilirubin, it is not uncommon for HCV patients to develop dark-brown colored urine. Again, do not assume you have Hepatitis C based on urine colour, but if you have other symptoms it is recommended that you see your physician.
4. Decreased Appetite
A decrease in appetite that is not caused by dieting or other factors may signal that your body needs attention. Studies performed by the NIH, or National Institute of Health, found that the sensations of sweet and savory were altered in patients with hepatitis C. Although there is no definitive data on the correlation between HCV and decreased appetite, speculation is that the altered taste sensation leads to a decrease in appetite and loss of interest in food.
5. Itching or Swelling
Itching and swelling are common symptoms of a Hepatitis C infection due to the liver’s decreased ability to process and eliminate accumulated toxins from the body.
Many symptoms can be misdiagnosed by looking at them individually. It is never recommended that you diagnose your symptoms based on internet information, but it makes sense to see your physician if you have some symptoms that make you concerned about your health. If you are concerned please look to see where our closest clinic is to you and get tested.