What are the clinical symptoms of hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C (HCV) presents with diverse clinical symptoms, which are often insidious, particularly in the early stages of infection when there may be no obvious symptoms. The typical symptoms are as follows: 1. Jaundice: After invading the human body, the hepatitis C virus may damage the liver, impair liver function, and consequently cause abnormal bilirubin metabolism, leading to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. This results in yellowing of the skin, sclera, and urine. 2. Gastrointestinal symptoms: These include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension. These symptoms are related to HCV's impact on digestive system function. 3. Systemic symptoms: Patients often feel fatigued and tire easily, with symptoms that are difficult to relieve even after rest. This is due to HCV-induced liver dysfunction leading to abnormal glycogen synthesis. 4. Dermatological manifestations: Some patients may experience symptoms such as pruritus (itching) and spider angiomas. Spider angiomas are characterized by red vascular clusters on the skin resembling a spider, commonly appearing on the chest, shoulders, and face. 5. Discomfort in the liver area: When hepatitis C causes changes in liver morphology or abnormal stretching of the liver capsule, patients may experience discomfort or pain in the liver region.