Eight Signs Your Body is Fighting the Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. This is spread through contact with blood from someone who is infected. There are many ways that Hepatitis C can be spread from person to person. For many people, it is a short-term illness; however, more than half of those who become infected with Hepatitis C deal with it on a long-term basis. This results in cirrhosis and even sometimes lung cancer. Many people with it oftentimes do not have any symptoms, so it isn’t clear they are infected. At Health Services of North Texas, our Denton and Plano, TX health centers have a dedicated infectious disease management team that offers confidential medical care. Our goal is to help patients who are infected live a healthy life, regardless of their status.

What are some signs you’re fighting Hepatitis C?

Some signs that your body may be fighting the Hepatitis C infection include:

Pain in the upper right abdomen
Yellow eyes
Fatigue
Rash
A low platelet count
Bruising easily
Discolored or dark urine
Swollen limbs

Who is most at risk for getting Hepatitis C?

Some people are more at risk for being infected with hepatitis C, including:

Those infected with HIV
Current or former addicts who have injected drugs
Those who have received blood transfusions or organ transplants
Children who were born to mothers with an HCV infection
People who have sex and have an STD, who have had several sexual partners, or have rough sex that may cause them to have open cuts
Sharing personal care items, including a toothbrush or a razor

You cannot get Hepatitis C through breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, coughing, sharing food or eating utensils, or sneezing.

How do you get Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is transmitted mostly by exposure to blood from someone with the virus. If you’re in a long-term relationship with someone who has Hep C, your risk is quite low unless you have HIV. However, your risk may be higher if you have sex during your period or have anal sex, as this can be more likely to cause bleeding. If you’re concerned about Hepatitis C, our professional medical team at Health Services of North Texas can answer your questions about how you can get Hep C.

About Hepatitis C testing

During a simple blood test, we look for anti-HCV antibodies, which are proteins that make finding the virus in your blood easier. This usually occurs about 12 weeks after you’ve been infected. When your antibody test is positive, we will give you an HCV RNA test. This test measures the number of viral RNA material in your blood and usually can be detected about 1 – 2 weeks after infection. For some patients, we may also perform liver function tests to detect possible liver damage.

Hepatitis C treatment

At Health Services of North Texas, we treat patients who suspect they may have hepatitis C. Whether you have acute or chronic Hep C, these symptoms can affect your daily life and your liver health. To qualify for case management with our experienced medical team, you must make an appointment to discuss your health as soon as possible.

Allow yourself to live a healthy life with Hepatitis C

Living a healthy life with a long-term virus, such as hepatitis C, doesn’t have to be hard. By asking for help from our professional medical team at Health Services of North Texas, you can be given treatment that helps you maintain your quality of life. We have six locations across the state, and two of them, in Denton and Plano, TX, specialize in Hepatitis C treatment. To schedule a confidential appointment to discuss Hepatitis C symptoms, call us today. We offer our professional medical services on a sliding fee scale for those on a limited income, who are underinsured, or uninsured. We accept most major insurances, including Medicaid and Medicare.