Maternal-infant transmission is low. Almost all chronic hepatitis C infections do not improve spontaneously. The complications are greatly influenced by alcohol. In all Severe cases usually the disease progress to cirrhosis. Progressive cases should be identified and should receive interferon treatment.
Histology is a valuable predictor of progression.
These evolutionary changes develop slowly, in an average of 15 years. In summary , viral hepatitis C has a long natural history with mostly benign course, therefore, the frequency of death from all causes in long-standing hepatitis C patients and in controls is identical. Relationship between HCV and cryoglobulin in not clear. It can be exacerbated by alpha-interferon treatment. They improve with alpha-interferon.