There are a number of early warning signs of hepatitis C that can help in the timely detection of the disease. Being aware of the risk factors can help in avoiding a symptom complicating further and can also lead to a conscious decrease in exposure to these factors. Given below are the risk factors, early warning signs, and complications of hepatitis C.

Risk factors for hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a disease caused by a viral infection. It affects the liver and if not treated can lead to liver failure. The infection spreads from one person to another mainly through blood or other body fluids. There are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing this disease.

One is at risk of being infected in case of any of the following:

• If a syringe is shared while injecting medication.
• If you use straws and other such implements to snort drugs like cocaine.
• Health care professionals who work with needles are more at risk of being infected accidentally.
• Those who have multiple partners and engage in unprotected sex are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
• Getting tattoos or body piercings can potentially lead to infections, especially if they aren’t cleaned properly and do not heal.
• A mother who has Hepatitis C can pass it on to a child.

Early warning signs
The early warning signs of Hepatitis C may be apparent within a few weeks of being infected but it is essential to remember that not everyone experiences these signs. Those who have any of the risk factors mentioned above should immediately see a doctor.

• Fatigue.
• Bruising very easily and bleeding.
• Not interested in eating due to poor appetite.
• Fever with muscle/joint pain.
• Nausea and/or stomach cramps.
• Jaundice-like yellowing of the eyes and skin with dark-colored urine.
• Ascites — fluid buildup in the belly and legs.
• Loss of weight.
• Confusion, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes.
• Spider angiomas appearing on the blood vessels.

Complications
Complications occur because of the failure in treating this disease when it is in its acute form. This is because early signs are observed in hardly a third of those affected by hepatitis C. Others may not manifest any symptoms, leading to it becoming difficult to treat or fatal. When not treated at the chronic stage, it causes scarring of the liver tissue and may progress to cirrhosis. At this stage, the liver can be damaged and may totally fail. There is also a potential risk of developing liver cancer as a result of the complications.