Hepatitis C is basically an inflammation of the liver and can be quite serious. The disease has two types: acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis. The condition is commonly asymptomatic in the acute phase and gradually progresses to a chronic stage. Knowing both the symptoms and prevention tips of hepatitis C not only helps to avoid the development of the disease, but also reduces the pain and suffering in people who are already affected.

Signs and symptoms of hepatitis C
When it comes to the symptoms and prevention tips of hepatitis C, the latter may not always be possible, but being aware of the former helps in getting timely treatment.

• Fever
  Some people start experiencing the symptoms not long after an exposure to the virus. You will typically have high temperature accompanied by muscle ache. Feeling flu-like symptoms is what people most commonly experience in the hepatitis-induced fever. Rather than ignoring it, it is better if a doctor is consulted at the earliest at this stage itself.
• Feeling tired
  A lethargic feeling or tiredness can be considered one of the early warning signs of hepatitis C. Even the daily, mundane activities will make you tired and that is when you absolutely should not ignore the signs anymore.
• Poor appetite
  Hepatitis C, after all, is a disease of the liver and hence, a poor appetite is often an obvious sign of the disease . The lack of hunger is defined by a loss of interest in food in general, as well as no desire to eat at all. By the time this symptom shows, the virus would have already started affecting your liver enzymes and hence will have led to this symptom.

Tips to prevent hepatitis C
Speaking of the prevention tips of hepatitis C, following the measures given below might well ensure you never have to deal with its symptoms.

• Do not share personal care items
  Most personal care items such as razors, shaving blade, clippers etc. will have had some amount of exposure to blood, especially if they haven’t been cleaned properly after use. And even a bit of exposure can cause infections, leading to hepatitis C.
• Choose only licensed tattoo parlors
  Hepatitis C can be caused by a use of needle that has been used on an infected person. So, before choosing a piercing or tattoo parlor, ensure that the service provider follows strict guidelines with respect to sanitization and use of disposable products. The ink and the needle should be disposed after a single use.
• Avoid direct exposure to blood or blood drawing products
  If you are a healthcare professional, chances are that you might be using a number of products such as needles, syringe and so on that are used to draw or inject blood. Make sure that they are thrown out properly after use, and avoid coming in direct exposure to such items as it can cause severe infections.

Keep in mind these symptoms and prevention tips of hepatitis C and help your close ones live a safe, healthy and disease-free life.