Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver that can ultimately cause massive liver damage. The Hepatitis C virus (or HCV) causes the infection. The HCV virus has a few symptoms that distinguish it from other infections. There are different variations of the HCV, but the most common is the type 1 HCV, which will determine the course of treatment. HCV infection is contracted mainly via contaminated blood.

Individuals are exposed to the hep C virus in these cases:

• During birth: the virus is passed along from the mother to the child.
• Sexual intercourse: In rare cases, hep C may be contracted during sex.
• Sharing infected needles: In cases of drug use, or getting tattoos and body piercings with unclean equipment.
• Sharing personal items: such as toothbrushes, nail cutters or razor blades.

Telltale symptoms of hep C infection include:

1. Jaundice
Patients infected with HCV may experience jaundice, in which the whites of the eyes and skin turn yellow in color. The urine may also present in a dark yellow or rusty color.

2. Clay-colored stool
Bowel movements may be affected by hep C, as a result of insufficient bile from the liver or a blockage in the bile duct of the liver. The stool may appear pale-white, putty or clay-like in color.

3. Stomach pains
The patient may experience a myriad of digestive issues and flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, fever, and fatigue stemming from the loss of appetite. Stomach pain with hep C can range from mild in the early stages, but usually worsens gradually over time.

4. Joint and muscle pains
Surprisingly, hep C may cause physical discomfort, achiness, and swelling in the joints, which can last in flare ups of 2 weeks to 3 months. The infection is responsible for this pain, as the body’s immune system is compromised in order to fight the virus.

5. Diagnosing hep C
Doctors will determine a formal hepatitis C diagnosis, first by identifying the above symptoms, followed by a blood test, which checks for the presence of HCV antibodies in the blood. The results take up to a week, and a positive test means that the patient is infected with HCV. Additional liver testing may be conducted to ascertain the extent of the virus, and the following treatment involves a prescribed dosage of the medication for a period of 8 to 12 weeks. Such drugs are Grazoprevir, Elbasvir, Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir or Pibrentasvir. The dosage and combination are as prescribed by the doctor.

6. Stages of hepatitis C
It should clearly be stated that the virus has various ways of affecting the patient with several stages involved, such as

• Incubation period: This period is between the virus’ initial exposure to the conception of the illness. It has an average duration of 45 days.
• Acute hepatitis C: This stage lasts for half a year. At this stage, the virus can be gotten rid of or cleared.
• Chronic hepatitis C: This stage occurs only if the host could not clear the virus in the six-month acute phase. This phase gives rise to a long-term infection i.e., cirrhosis or cancer.
• Cirrhosis: At this stage, the infection inflames the liver gradually replacing the healthy cells with scar tissue in the liver. The duration taken in this stage spans a minimum of twenty years. Cirrhosis increases the chances of getting liver cancer.