Ascites
Ascites is the excessive accumulation of fluid (water, blood, lymph) in the abdomen that causes the stomach to appear swollen and balloon-like. Ascites is a symptom that usually appears in the advanced stages of acute or chronic hepatitis C.
Why does this happen? Because when your liver gets scarred either due to an infection or trauma, it decreases in function and causes pressure to rise in the veins – leading to a condition called portal hypertension. It causes the fluid to regurgitate back and pool around the abdomen.
Most people experiencing ascites will notice their stomach sticks out more than usual, and a sudden increase in weight. Ascites is usually also associated with a fever, discomfort, and fluid buildup in the lungs that may cause difficulty in breathing.