Symptoms of hepatitis C

A woman holding her neck with a hand on her forehead
Medically reviewed by
AKF's Medical Advisory Committee
Last updated
March 28, 2022

When a person is first infected with hepatitis C, this is called an acute infection. During the acute infection, most people do not have symptoms. If symptoms do happen, they can include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue (feeling very tired)
  • Not feeling hungry
  • Feeling nauseous, or sick to your stomach
  • Vomiting
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Grey-colored bowel movements
  • Pain in your joints
  • Jaundice (having yellow-colored skin or eyes)

Since most people do not have symptoms of hepatitis C when they first get it, they do not know they have it. You can live for years with hepatitis C and not know you are infected. In time, hepatitis C can lead to liver damage, liver cancer, liver failure or even death.

Symptoms that show your liver is damaged

  • Swelling in your abdomen (belly area)
  • Bleeding easily
  • Bruising easily
  • Fatigue (feeling very tired)
  • Not feeling hungry
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Weight loss without a known reason
  • Jaundice (having yellow-colored skin or eyes)
  • Swelling in your legs
  • Itchy skin all over

How can I find out if I have hepatitis C?

The only way to know if you have hepatitis C is to get tested. Talk to your doctor about being tested, especially if you are at higher risk.