Hepatitis C Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Eighty percent of people with hepatitis C have no symptoms. Over time, the disease can cause serious liver damage.

Symptoms may include:

Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
Darker colored urine
Light or chalky colored stools
Loose, light-colored stools
Abdominal pain
Aches and pains
Itching
Hives
Joint pain
Cigarette smokers may suddenly dislike the taste of cigarettes
Nausea
Vomiting

Chronic hepatitis C infection may cause some of the above symptoms, as well as:

Weakness
Severe fatigue
Loss of appetite

Serious complications of hepatitis C infection include:

chronic infection that will lead to cirrhosis (scarring) and progressive liver failure
Increased risk of liver cancer

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You will also discuss your risk factors.

Tests may include:

Blood tests—to look for hepatitis C antibodies or genetic material from the virus (antibodies are proteins that your body has made to fight the hepatitis C virus)
Liver function studies— to initially determine and follow how well your liver is functioning
Ultrasound of the liver— to assess liver damage
Liver biopsy —removal of a sample of liver tissue to be examined

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.