Hepatitis C: symptoms, causes & treatment in Nigeria
Also known as Hep C, HCV.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. Always consult a licensed clinician about your own health.
Overview
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral infection of the liver that usually causes no symptoms until significant damage has occurred. Unlike hepatitis B, there is no vaccine — but modern antiviral tablets now cure more than 95% of cases in a matter of weeks. Testing is the only way to know you have it.
Symptoms
Usually none for many years
Fatigue
Yellowing of eyes or skin
Dark urine
Poor appetite and nausea
Abdominal swelling or easy bruising in late disease
Causes & risk factors
Unscreened blood transfusion
Sharing needles or unsterilised medical or tattoo equipment
Shared blades, clippers and sharp objects
Less commonly, sexual or mother-to-child transmission
Treatment & self-care
A blood test confirms infection, and curative direct-acting antiviral tablets are taken for two to three months under specialist supervision. Avoid alcohol while the liver heals, and household members should avoid sharing blades or clippers. After cure, the liver is reassessed for any lasting damage.
See a doctor urgently if
A positive hepatitis C test
Persistent fatigue with a history of transfusion or injections
Yellow eyes, swollen abdomen or easy bruising
You received blood or unsterile injections in the past and have never tested
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of Hepatitis C?
Early signs often include usually none for many years, fatigue, yellowing of eyes or skin. Symptoms vary from person to person, so a proper assessment by a doctor is the only way to be sure.
Can Hepatitis C be treated?
A blood test confirms infection, and curative direct-acting antiviral tablets are taken for two to three months under specialist supervision. Avoid alcohol while the liver heals, and household members should avoid sharing blades or clippers. After cure, the liver is reassessed for any lasting damage.
When should I see a doctor about Hepatitis C?
See a doctor promptly if you notice: a positive hepatitis c test; persistent fatigue with a history of transfusion or injections; yellow eyes, swollen abdomen or easy bruising; you received blood or unsterile injections in the past and have never tested.