Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), resulting in liver inflammation. The disease can spread through an infected person’s contaminated blood and bodily fluids. Hepatitis C is very difficult to diagnose during the early stages as it hardly shows any symptoms. This makes it a serious condition, requiring immediate medical attention. If ignored, it can cause permanent liver damage and lead to other health complications, including death. Read on to know more about the causes and symptoms of hepatitis C.

Causes of hepatitis C
Hepatitis C only spreads from coming in contact with an infected person and not via animals or insects. The HCV virus is primarily present in the blood and other bodily fluids. It commonly occurs due to the sharing of needles, environmental factors, genetics, and other underlying diseases. Following are the common and rare causes of hepatitis C.

1. Received blood from a donor with hepatitis C
   One can contract hepatitis C via blood transfusions and organ transplants. This happens only if the donor has hepatitis C. This is one of the leading causes of hepatitis C.
2. Sharing needles and syringes
   One can quickly contract HCV by sharing needles, syringes, and other medical equipment while indulging in substance abuse.
3. Unprotected sex
   One can contract hepatitis C through unprotected sex, especially with multiple partners. One can also contract the disease by having sex with an infected person.

The chances of contracting hepatitis C are extremely high if one indulges in rough sex or anal sex without protection. This increases the chances of blood-to-blood contact or contact with bacteria in the anus, making one highly susceptible to the disease.

1. Tattoos and body piercings
   Getting a tattoo or piercing done at an unlicensed setup, with unclean and unsterilized equipment, increases the risk of contracting hepatitis C.
2. Sharing personal care items
   The risk of contracting hepatitis C is high when you share personal items like nail clippers, razors, glucose monitors, toothbrushes, and others. Coming into contact with the smallest amount of blood of an infected person can make you highly susceptible.
3. Healthcare exposure
   Though not common, one can contract hepatitis C in healthcare facilities where accepted norms to prevent the spread of bloodborne infections are not in place.

Other causes of hepatitis C
Below are some of the uncommon causes of Hepatitis C.

1. Long-term kidney dialysis like hemodialysis treatments
2. HIV patients are at a high risk of contracting hepatitis C
3. Born to a mother with hepatitis C
4. Indulging in substance abuse

Symptoms of hepatitis C
Long-term infection of hepatitis C is called chronic hepatitis C. Its signs are often unnoticeable in the initial stages. Following are the common signs and symptoms of hepatitis C.

1. Dark or clay-colored feces
2. Passing dark urine
3. Loss of appetite
4. Feelings of nausea accompanied by vomiting
5. Abdominal pain that doesn’t go away and/or fluid build-up in the abdomen
6. Yellowing of the eyes and skin due to jaundice
7. Bruising and bleeding easily
8. Feeling confused, experiencing drowsiness, and slurred speech
9. Chronic joints or muscle pain