Hep C
Symptom Checker
Are you at risk of hep C?
It is estimated that thousands of people* in New Zealand are living with hepatitis C but have not yet been diagnosed.
*In 2023 it is estimated that approximately 30,000 Kiwis are living with chronic hep C.
Hep C symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of hep C?
Unfortunately, most people with the hepatitis C virus don't show any symptoms, yet hep C can lead to serious health complications.
In people who do develop symptoms from acute infection, the average time from exposure to symptoms ranges from two to 12 weeks after becoming infected, while others will experience them six months later. In some cases, people can live with hep C for years before they experience any symptoms at all. Even without symptoms, a person with hep C can still spread the virus to others.
If you're at risk for hep C, and have experienced any of the symptoms listed here, speak with your healthcare professional and ask if you should be tested.
You may be at risk of hepatitis C if you can say 'Yes' to any of these symptoms.
The only way to be sure, is to get tested.
Symptoms of acute (new) and chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C infection may include:
Click on a symptom for more information:
Did you know...
It's common for people living with hep C to feel extremely tired or have no energy.
Did you know...
Loss of appetite can have many causes. If you have a risk factor and frequent loss of appetite talk to your healthcare professional.
Did you know...
Stomach pain can have many causes. If you have a risk factor and stomach pain talk to your healthcare professional.
Did you know...
Nausea can have many causes. If you have a risk factor and frequent nausea talk to your healthcare professional.
Did you know...
Jaundice can appear soon after you're infected with the hep C virus. Your skin and the whites of your eyes may look yellowish. This happens when your liver doesn't work well enough to break down a chemical called bilirubin. Your skin can turn yellow if too much of it builds up in your blood.
Risk factors
Because there are a number of ways in which people can be exposed to the hep C virus, we have developed a checklist that covers many of the risk factors involved.
It's important to note that the hep C virus is spread when infected blood (even microscopic amounts) enters your blood stream from any of these possible scenarios and that the virus itself can live outside of the body from several days to even weeks in certain conditions.
Talking to your healthcare professional
Your healthcare professional is the best person to talk to if:
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- you have any questions about hepatitis C
- you want to get tested
- you want to discuss treatment options
- you want to learn more about how to stay healthy.
Before your appointment
Here are some helpful questions that may help you organise your thoughts prior to your visit. Download and/or print the list to see which ones apply to you, so you can go into your healthcare professionals' visit prepared with the information they need to support you.
This checklist is not meant to diagnose people with hep C, nor does it replace the advice of your healthcare professional. Please talk to your healthcare professional if you have any questions about hep C.
TESTING SAVES LIVES
The only way to know for sure if you have hep C, is to get tested.
You'll be taken to a 3rd party site.
TAPS BG5090. NZ-VHCV-200017. Prepared June 2025.