A Hepatitis C infection leads to a wide range of symptoms, from mild illnesses to chronic health conditions. The condition may not cause any symptoms until two weeks to six months after it has penetrated the bloodstream. The symptoms of hepatitis C are tough to detect, and the disease can easily be transmitted. Some of the rare symptoms of a hepatitis C infection are:

1. Dark urine
The disease causes liver inflammation, which results in dark-colored urine. That said, this symptom is prevalent in hepatitis A and B patients as well. One may have been infected by the Hepatitis C virus if the liver fails to clean their blood thoroughly. An orangish-yellow substance known as bilirubin may form in the urine and blood as a result, causing the urine to turn darker to brown.

2. Jaundice
The white portion of the eyes and the skin turning yellowish is a common sign that indicates jaundice. This symptom manifests after one has been infected or diagnosed with hepatitis C. When the liver is unable to break down bilirubin, excess amounts of the chemical in the blood may lead to a person’s skin turning yellowish. Patients may first undergo treatment for the hepatitis C infection and liver damage to manage jaundice.

3. Abdominal pain
Patients may experience an ache in the upper layer of the abdomen, and the pain often spreads to the other parts. This symptom of hepatitis C can be quite discomforting, especially if one has chronic HCV. This is because the pain can eventually spread to the wrists and hands in people with chronic hepatitis. One may also experience severe joint pain, and painkillers are among the best solutions to relieve abdominal pain associated with this disease.

4. Nausea
This is a prevalent symptom of hepatitis C in patients with liver dysfunction. The liver is responsible for regulating digestion and overall health, but the Hepatitis C virus reduces the organ’s ability to produce bile, resulting in difficulty digesting fatty foods. This leads to gallbladder inflammation and may result in pain in the upper abdomen. Nausea can affect the way the liver produces albumin, which is known to regulate the fluids in the cells.

5. Fatigue
Hepatitis C is not easily diagnosed, but excessive fatigue can indicate that one is experiencing the rare symptoms of hepatitis C. This symptom is often considered a threat to the quality of a patient’s life. The infection may be a major cause of fatigue, as it increases the body’s cytokines, which are responsible for maintaining the strength of the immune system. Alcohol and substance usage also acts as a booster for fatigue. Among the psychological factors that contribute to fatigue are anxiety and depression, which are often associated with hepatitis C.