If symptoms occur they are rather general and include mild fatigue, malaise and mild abdominal pain. If chronic Hepatitis C has caused liver damage new signs and symptoms may appear. These include redness of the palms of the hands, red spider cluster of broken blood vessels that usually appear on the chest and shoulders, fluid retention in the abdomen and swelling of the arms, legs, hands and feet. To find out if you have Hepatitis C consult your physician. If you are diagnosed with Hepatitis C a liver ultrasound and a liver biopsy may be done before any treatment program.
Treatment consists of antiviral medications such as ribavirin and interferon.
Your physician will decide if these medications are an option for you. Researchers are working on different drug combinations for this disease. If liver damage is severe then you may need a liver transplant. The body can not function without a healthy liver. If you have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C there are steps you can take to prevent further liver damage.