Symptoms may appear two weeks to six months after exposure to the virus, but most people (75 per cent) have no signs of illness for many years.
Hepatitis C affects people differently. Most people will develop symptoms between 10 and 20 years after becoming infected. Symptoms can develop faster if an infected person doesn't look after their health-for instance, excessive drug and alcohol use and poor nutrition.
The most common symptom is chronic fatigue. This may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, joint and muscle aches and poor appetite. Some people have jaundice, a yellow colour in their eyes and skin. Hepatitis C can eventually lead to chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure.