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There is an almost 100% chance that people infected with hepatitis C will develop liver failure or liver cancer 20 or 30 years later. A study (Lancet, May 23, 1998) showed that interferon prevents liver cancer while other studies (American Journal of Gastroenterology 1998: Jan; 93(1): 39-43) show that interferon plus ribaviron cures 80% of hepatitis C. While interferon has minor side effects, such as chills and fever after each injection, it is a whole lot better than a 100% chance of having liver failure or cancer that requires a liver transplant. Both drugs are available through prescriptions. Fewer than 20% of hepatitis C patients are cured by taking six months of interferon injections, while 80% are cured by combining ribavirin with interferon for 18 months. J. of Hepatology 1997 (May): 26(5): 961-966. There is a risk of sexually transmitting hepatitis C, and there is a risk transmitting it to a fetus. Statistically speaking, it is about 5%, though, it also depends on ones immune system.