How does HCV damage your liver?
Hepatitis C does not directly damage your liver. After infection, the immune system reacts to hepatitis C by trying to rid the liver of infected cells. It is this immune response that can cause liver inflammation, and this inflammation leads to scarring.
As the immune system attempts to isolate infected cells, scarring worsens.
As the liver becomes more scarred, it hardens and becomes less elastic. This makes it increasingly difficult for blood and other fluids to flow through it.
Even though the liver can operate when badly damaged, the continuous effect of hepatitis C can slowly interfere with liver function. Complications then occur when the liver is unable to carry out important tasks.
These complications include:
- fatty liver (steatosis)
- jaundice
- esophageal varices
- ascites
- encephalopathy
- portal hypertension
- kidney damage
- thyroid disease
- diabetes
- appetite and weight loss resulting in malnutrition
Glossary
ascites abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, a sign of serious liver damage in people with hepatitis C
diabetes illness related to not being able to regulate sugar
encephalopathy degenerative brain function or disease
jaundice common symptom of hepatitis where increased levels of bilirubin lead to a yellowing of the skin or eyes
portal hypertension increased blood pressure (hypertension) in the vein carrying blood to the liver
varices extended or swollen veins that can burst, a complication of cirrhosis