Conditions Linked to HCV

A number of different conditions have been associated with HCV. Some of these are autoimmune conditions, in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues. Conditions sometimes seen in people with chronic HCV include Sjogren's syndrome (characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth), kidney conditions such as glomerulonephritis, heart and circulatory problems such as thrombosis, and skin conditions such as lichen planus (characterized by white plaques) and porphyria cutanea tarda (characterized by a sun-sensitive rash). Other related conditions include certain types of arthritis (joint inflammation), arthralgia (joint pain), thyroid disease, vasculitis (blood vessel damage), cryoglobulinemia (high levels of a blood protein that settles in the kidneys, skin, and nerve endings). Most serious conditions are associated with late-stage HCV disease, in which the liver is damaged and not able to function properly. Many people with HCV never experience any of these conditions. Check with your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.

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