It is spread through contact with infected blood, most often during a blood transfusion. Symptoms may appear anywhere from 3 to 21 weeks after exposure, but usually appear in 7 to 8 weeks. The normal course of a hepatitis C infection is similar to a hepatitis B infection. Prolonged use of alcohol can cause an acute or chronic inflammation of the liver called alcoholic hepatitis, which can lead to serious liver disease. While hepatitis A usually stays in the body for approximately one month without any treatment, hepatitis B and C are more serious and may linger in the body, producing constant, perhaps life-long symptoms, such as a chronically enlarged liver, decay of liver tissue, and chronic flu symptoms.
Severe infection can result in coma and death.
Although there are different types of hepatitis, the symptoms are generally the same for each. Often, a person who has one of the hepatitis viruses will not have any symptoms. In addition, smokers with hepatitis often develop a distaste for cigarettes. Hepatitis may also be accompanied by a condition called jaundice, where the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow . In addition, sufferers of hepatitis often have enlarged livers, which can be felt by a doctor.