Hep C, Fatal???

  My niece was diagnosed with Hep C last fall (97) and was pregnant at the time.  Her mother is freaking out.  The family is in serious distress over the situation but from what I have found on the web the disease isn't that serious when first diagnosed. Am I wrong?
  Stepanie is going to be 17 in July, her only visible symptoms are fatigue and some blotches on the skin about her abdomen.  She is a new mother as of March 98 and I realize the fatigue that comes with that responsibility but I am afraid that the family is putting themselves through undue stress over something that doesn't seem to be affecting her "immediate" future.  She isn't on any medication, although I see in previous inqueries that patients are on medication.  What is the run down on this Hep C thing anyway?  I feel like I am being taken on a ride of sympathy desperation.
  Sincerely,  Cindy Eskeli

[HFHS-MD-dm]

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Dear Cindy:
I

[grammy123461]

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