What should you know about hepatitis C symptoms?

Hepatitis C can affect the liver without making someone feel unwell. If symptoms appear, they may develop gradually and can include low energy, appetite changes, nausea, aching or pressure in the upper abdomen, itchy skin, dark urine, pale stools, or yellow skin and eyes. These signs overlap with other illnesses and do not identify hepatitis C on their own. A person with fatigue does not necessarily have hepatitis C; the condition is assessed through appropriate tests and a review of possible blood exposure.

Write down the symptoms, their timing, and any medicines or supplements you use. Tell a clinician about previous blood contact, a needle injury, or a procedure involving skin or blood. Book a [GP Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/gp-consultation/) for tailored testing advice. A [Liver Function Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/liver-function-test/) may help assess liver health, while the [Hepatitis C](/conditions/hepatitis-c/) page explains the condition.

Seek urgent care for new jaundice with confusion, severe sleepiness, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, blood in vomit, or black stools. Contact a clinician promptly for yellow eyes, very dark urine, or symptoms that are worsening rather than settling. If low energy is your main problem, review [Fatigue](/symptoms/fatigue/) and mention its effect on daily activities.

Ask whether your symptoms warrant hepatitis C testing, which results distinguish past exposure from current infection, and whether liver assessment is needed. Ask what warning signs should bring you back sooner and whether any medicine or supplement could be contributing to your symptoms.