Hepatitis C has four stages:
- the acute stage,
- the chronic stage,
- compensated cirrhosis, and
- decompensated cirrhosis.
However, you may not progress through all these stages and the course of the disease is unpredictable.
The acute (initial) stage
The acute stage is the first six months of infection. Most people do not experience any symptoms during this phase.
Other people will have vague flu-like symptoms, including:
- fever,
- tiredness,
- loss of appetite,
- stomach pains,
- nausea, and
- vomiting.
These occur a few weeks after being infected. A few people will also develop jaundice (see box, right).
Approximately one in five people with hepatitis C will fight off the virus during this period, clearing it from their body.
The chronic stage
Hepatitis C is said to be chronic when you have been infected for longer than six months.
In people with a chronic infection, the virus remains active but may not cause any symptoms throughout their life or for many years. They may remain well and develop no liver problems. However, they are carriers, which means they can pass the virus on to others, for example by sharing needles.
Others with chronic hepatitis C will develop symptoms including:
- extreme tiredness,
- depression,
- short-term memory problems or difficulty concentrating,
- mood swings,
- digestive problems,
- joint and muscle aches and pains,
- headaches,
- flu-like symptoms,
- pain or discomfort in the liver area,
- stomach pains, or
- itching.
Compensated cirrhosis
About one in five people with chronic hepatitis C will go on to develop cirrhosis over a period of about 20 to 30 years (it can be sooner in people who drink alcohol).
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver as a result of long-term, continuous damage to the liver. It is a serious condition where healthy tissue in the liver is destroyed and replaced by scar tissue, which starts to block the flow of blood through your liver. For more information, see Health A-Z: cirrhosis
Compensated cirrhosis means that the liver is still able to carry out its normal functions (the liver can compensate for the damage).
Decompensated cirrhosis
A few people with compensated cirrhosis will deteriorate further and develop decompensated cirrhosis. This means the liver stops functioning (liver failure).
