Anti HCV positive and Breastfeeding-HELP!!!

Some 13 months ago when I wanted to donate blood in Africa they told me that I am anti HCV positive. I am not one of the risk groups, I dont know how can I be positive. My ALT and AST in lower ranges of normal and I am very healthy. Now I gave birth to a baby who is just a week old. Until now I was not even thinking about it. now I am quite depressed, I cant take it out of my mind, I need to know what can I breastfeed, is it possible that my baby is already infected, he is very healthy and weighed 4 kilos at birth, I am so scared, PLEASE HELP, PLEASE TELL ME IF I CAN BREASTFEED, if I only have anti bodies and not the active virus does it prevent me from breastfeeding. Please show me the way I feel totally lost.

[working dog]

we had seven kids and all were breast fed...none have hep c....my xwife had hep c since 71 ...no problems........good luck...billy

[Bill1954]

Hello, Mama;

You should not worry about Hep C transmission to your baby by breastfeeding. Whether you are anti-HCV positive (antibody only) or have active Hep C RNA (active virus) should not present a problem. Here is what the U.S. Center for Disease Control has to say about this:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/faq.htm#3c

[TonyFromLA]

Have you been tested for the active virus ? If not, please do get tested if you are positive you should get treatment right away to avoid any further liver damage. If you are, try to get into a study where they combine either NM283 or VX950 with the standard treatment (PEG & Ribavirin). These are amazing new drugs especially if you are treatment naive, they help you clear the virus. The standard treatment helps you to not relapse.

My own personal experience with NM283, my viral load was undetectable after a little over 4 weeks, with the NM283 treatment being 12 weeks. I will be on Peg and ribavirin for the full 48 weeks so as not to relapse.

[livindabest]

    I  think she would be advised to wait until  finished breast feeding.
          Good luck momma.
                                         R.

[cathi1]

In 1969, I was so sick with the virus, not only were my eyes yellow, but my skin also.  Weighted only 84 lbs. I'm 5' 7" tall. Hospitalized for weeks in isolation, (they did that stuff back then) Recovered, Thought I had recovered completely, What did any one know back then. It wasn't even called "C" at that time.  Breast feed my youngest daughter for almost a year in 1973. She 34 years old now, healthy, did not pass this to her, and she has breast feed her babies too.   Best of luck to you and your sweet baby!!!!  God bless you both what ever you decide.
I do not want to give advice, only telling my story and how my childs life turned out. Inspite of me!!!!