Can a mother transfer Hep C to her baby?

Can a mother transfer Hep C to her baby?

A baby can be infected during birth if the mother has hepatitis C infection. It also can be spread during unprotected sex, but it is harder to spread the virus this way. It is not spread through casual contact or breastfeeding.

Can a Hep C positive mom breastfeed?

Is it safe for a mother infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) to breastfeed her infant? Yes. There is no documented evidence that breastfeeding spreads HCV. Therefore, having HCV-infection is not a contraindication to breastfeed.

Will Hep C hurt my baby?

HCV is showing up in more and more pregnant women, probably because of the sharp rise in heroin and prescription drug abuse. One in 20 infants born to mothers with HCV gets the virus. That can happen in the womb, during delivery, or after the baby is born. The disease usually does not affect your baby before birth.

What is the transmission rate for hepatitis C?

Worldwide the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in pregnant women and children has been estimated to 1–8% and 0.05–5% respectively. The vertical transmission rate has been estimated to be 3–5% and there is a high rate of spontaneous clearance (25–50%) in the children.

How is HCV spread?

The main way hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread is through contact with the blood of an infected person, such as via contaminated intravenous (IV) needles. Although less common, it can also be spread through shared razors and toothbrushes, contaminated piercing or tattooing tools, and during sex.

What is the prevention of hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C can be prevented by avoiding close contact with a person who has the hepatitis C virus, and by avoiding situations which can increase your risk of getting hepatitis C. These situations include using an injection drug, having multiple sexual partners, and getting tattoos and body piercings.

What is hepatitis C transmission?

Transmission Hepatitis C (HCV) is transmitted when the blood of an infected person passes into the blood of an uninfected person. Hep C is most easily spread through direct blood-to-blood contact, such as: Sharing needles and other equipment (paraphernalia) used to inject drugs.