In many cases Hepatitis C produces no symptoms at all. Occasionally on initial infection the patient may experience flu-like symptoms for a few days, and some liver inflammation which gives the disease its name.

When a patient has had the virus for a length of time, there may be symptoms of various non-specific muscular aches and pains, and general tiredness. In rare cases these may be totally debilitating. Many cases are miss-diagnosed, and arthritis, MS, and lupus are among the more common miss-diagnoses. Many doctors fail to spot the elevated liver enzymes that are present in most cases.

Recent research has shown that the virus also affects the brain, and many patients complain of 'brain-fog' and general malaise. There is strong evidence to suggest that the virus is associated with a general lack of co-ordination, and that any pre-disposition towards psychiatric problems is made worse. Patients frequently complain of lethargy, sleep disorders, night sweats, and general malaise.

Because the symptoms of Hepatitis C vary so much between individual patients, it is virtually impossible to diagnose it from symptoms alone. Most patients can tolerate the symptoms, and would choose to live with the condition were it not for the long term consequences.