Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver and can cause both acute (short term) and chronic (long term) illness. Most people with hepatitis C have no symptoms, and symptoms can take decades to appear. However, some people with acute hepatitis C may have symptoms within 1 to 3 months after they are exposed to the virus. These symptoms may include:

• Dark yellow urine
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Gray- or clay-colored stools
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Pain in your abdomen (belly)
• Jaundice (yellowish eyes and skin)

Symptoms of chronic hepatitis C usually appear only after the virus damages the liver enough to cause them. These symptoms can include:

• Bleeding easily
• Bruising easily
• Fatigue
• Not wanting to eat
• Yellowing of the skin, called jaundice

In advanced cases of hepatitis C, symptoms can include:

• Fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity (ascites) or the legs (edema)
• Gallstones
• Your brain doesn’t work as well (encephalopathy)
• Kidney failure
• Easy bleeding and bruising
• Intense itching
• Muscle loss
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Spider-like veins on the skin

It is important to note that many people with hepatitis C do not experience symptoms, and the only way to know for sure if you have the virus is to get tested.