There is additional risk for healthcare workers exposed to blood products or handling needles, drug users sharing needles, those not using safe sex practices, blood transfusion recipients (prior to 1992), children born of mothers with Hep C.

The disease can cause liver cancer or scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), reducing its function or causing complete liver failure.

In some cases, the body can clear the virus on its own after the initial acute phase of the disease. This can happen in up to 25% of individuals. For those who cannot clear it on their own, antiviral therapy is effective and now readily available.