The initial symptoms of vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy, are nonspecific complaints. Scurvy may begin with symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, decreased appetite, and weight loss. If scurvy persists, symptoms such as shortness of breath and bone and muscle pain may begin after a few months. Muscle pain is due to insufficient carnitine production. Rough skin, bruising and pinpoint rashes, delayed wound healing, gum bleeding and tooth loss, emotional changes, leg pain and tenderness, bleeding disorders, and swellings on long bones are symptoms that appear in later stages. If left untreated, widespread edema, jaundice, fever, visible cerebral hemorrhage, and internal bleeding can be fatal.