Does Hepatitis Cause Joint Pain?

Joint pain is a common symptom of acute hepatitis (when symptoms are present) and chronic hepatitis. It's also a common side-effect of hepatitis medications such as peginterferon and ribavirin. Some studies suggest that nearly one-third of people with hepatitis C will have arthritis.

Why does hepatitis cause joint pain?

An autoimmune disease results when the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissue. Pain and stiffness are early signs of inflammation caused by the body's autoimmune response to the hepatitis C virus.

Can hepatitis affect joints?

A condition called arthralgia causes joint pain and is common in people with hepatitis C. It's different from arthritis, which causes pain and swelling in joints. But infected people can also get hepatitis C-related arthritis.