A contagious liver disease that could result in organ failure, cirrhosis, and cancer, hepatitis C is a life-threatening condition that can be potentially fatal if left untreated. It’s primarily caused by HCV, a virus that invades the liver cells and causes swelling, inflammation, and organ damage. It’s also a relatively common blood-borne and viral infection, especially in the US, with over two million Americans living with it. And many are unaware that they’re infected.
The virus can be transmitted via blood-to-blood contact. According to reports by the CDC, many new hepatitis C cases occur because of contact with equipment, such as needles. The condition can be either chronic and long-lasting or acute and short-term. Those with the latter usually have symptoms lasting at least six months. However, in over fifty percent of cases, these infections become chronic, and the body cannot clear out the virus.
Because new medications are widely available to cure the disease, researchers think HCV infection could become rare by 2036. While vaccines still don’t exist to prevent their occurrence, many ways exist to reduce, if not mitigate, infection risks. In this article, we’ll cover some of the most common symptoms of hepatitis C.
Fever
A fever, also referred to as pyrexia or hyperthermia, is characterized by abnormal elevation of the body’s temperature. In the short term, the raised temperature can aid the body in fighting diseases and illnesses. However, a persistent fever can do the body more harm than good and is usually associated with a serious underlying condition that needs medical attention. Recognizing a fever will allow you to monitor it properly and get the necessary treatment.
Various diseases can cause a fever. Some of the possible triggers for it include infections like pneumonia and the flu, immunizations like tetanus and diphtheria, inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, blood clots, extreme sunburn, food poisoning, and specific antibiotics. The symptoms can vary depending on severity, and some that may present are excessive sweating, chills and shivering, headaches, muscle aches, appetite loss, dehydration, and general weakness.
Treatment for fevers also varies. For those with low-grade and mild fevers, resting and drinking fluids are all needed to combat the condition. In addition, some over-the-counter medications are available, like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, in case it’s accompanied by symptoms like mild dehydration and general discomfort. However, it’s best to consult a medical professional for severe symptoms.
