9 Effects of Hepatitis C on Your Body
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Jennifer Larson on September 12, 2021
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How the Hepatitis C Infection Affects Your BodyHepatitis C is an infection that causes inflammation in the liver. The infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV); it starts out as an acute infection but frequently lengthens into a chronic one. If you have a chronic case of hepatitis C, you’re more likely to develop certain diseases or problems with other organ systems in your body as a result. Unfortunately, you may not exhibit any signs or symptoms of the hepatitis C infection until an advanced stage of illness. That’s one reason why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that screening for hepatitis C is so important among baby boomers, the age group at greatest risk for infection. Here’s a look at long-term effects hepatitis C can have on your body if left untreated.
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Liver DiseaseThis is the most obvious area of the body that is affected by hepatitis C, since by definition, it causes inflammation in your liver. Chronic hepatitis C can cause serious liver damage, including cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. Hepatitis C also increases your chances of developing liver cancer.
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DiabetesAccording to the American College of Gastroenterology, hepatitis C significantly raises your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, diabetes develops three times more often in people with hepatitis C—some researchers have even started referring to diabetes as a symptom of hepatitis C. The virus seems to interfere with glucose metabolism. Unfortunately, if you are diabetic, the diabetes seems to accelerate the progress of fibrosis in your liver.
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AnemiaYou might be surprised to learn that your hepatitis C treatment regimen might be responsible for making you feel really tired and cold. That’s because you run the risk of developing anemia if you’re being treated with interferon and ribavirin. This treatment regimen makes your hemoglobin levels drop -- and hemoglobin is the substance in your red blood cells that transports oxygen around your body.
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Brain FogIf you’ve ever wondered if hepatitis C could be making you feel a little foggy or even causing some symptoms of depression, your instincts are right. Research shows that people with chronic hepatitis C often experience problems with concentration and attention, and some even experience depression. Cognitive impairment tends to be worse for people with serious liver disease. Because this can affect your ability to work and your quality of life, be sure to discuss any concerns with your physician.
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Kidney DiseaseYour renal system isn’t immune to the effects of a chronic hepatitis C infection. Hepatitis C is linked to an increased incidence of a kidney disease called glomerulonephritis, which occurs when tiny filters called glomeruli get infected or inflamed. You might experience symptoms like fatigue, high blood pressure, swelling in your face and extremities, and foamy urine due to the excessive proteins released into your urine. This disease can damage your kidneys to the point where they can no longer effectively remove waste products from your bloodstream and even lead to renal failure.
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Gallstone DiseaseLiver cirrhosis is an established risk factor for gallstone disease—and the more severe the case of cirrhosis, the more prevalent gallstones tend to be. That means that hepatitis C, which often causes cirrhosis, can increase your risk of developing gallstone disease. Research also shows that those with hepatitis C are still at an elevated risk for gallstone disease even if they haven’t developed cirrhosis.
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Skin DiseaseHCV can sometimes lead to skin lesions on the backs of your hands, your forearms and even your face and neck—these are symptoms of a skin disease called porphyria cutanea tarda, or PCT, that can make your skin more fragile. It can also increase your chances of developing lichen planus, which usually shows up as a series of reddish bumps on your skin. Sometimes the bumps itch, but not always, and they can form scaly patches over time. The bumps can also develop inside your mouth, where they tend to manifest as a series of small white dots.
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Rheumatoid ArthritisPeople with HCV-related arthritis may experience symptoms similar to those in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. They’ll feel pain and inflammation in their small joints, usually in a symmetrical fashion—that is, if the small joints on your right hand are affected, chances are that the same joints on your left hand will be affected, too.
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Eye DiseaseIf you develop the autoimmune disease Sjogren’s syndrome, which is sometimes linked with HCV, you’re likely to experience dry mouth and dry eyes. There’s also an association between hepatitis C and a painful type of corneal ulcer known as Mooren’s ulcer.
9 Effects of Hepatitis C on Your Body