Symptoms and Treatments for Hepatitis C

Think you may have Hepatitis C? About 3.5 million people in the United States have Hepatitis C. But it causes few symptoms, so most of them don't know they have it. Dr. Jonathan Jensen at Front Range Gastroenterology Associates in Longmont, CO, offers state-of-the-art treatments for Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis Overview

"Hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C a viral infection of the liver that leads to inflammation. When the liver is damaged or inflamed, its function can be affected. Hepatitis C is spread when your blood comes in contact with an infected person's blood. Over time, the disease can cause serious health issues including liver damage, liver cancer and liver failure.

Hepatitis C Symptoms

Many individuals with Hepatitis C don't have symptoms and don't know they are infected. According to Medical News Today, the average time from exposure to symptom onset is 4-15 weeks. When symptoms appear, they are often a sign of advanced liver disease. Symptoms for Hepatitis C can include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, sore muscles, nausea, abdominal pain, nausea, dark urine, joint pain and jaundice.

Hepatitis C Treatments

Treatment with a combination of antiviral medications can fight the infection and prevent serious health problems like liver cancer or cirrhosis. Your physician can help you decide whether medications are right for you. If you have developed serious complications from the disease, liver transplant surgery may be an option. During liver transplant surgery, the surgeon removes your liver and replaces it with a healthy liver.

Don't take risks with your health. The only way to know if you have Hepatitis C is to get tested. Don't wait another minute- call Front Range Gastroenterology at 303-776-6115 today to schedule an appointment in Longmont, CO. A simple hepatitis screening could save your life!