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Infant Hepatitis C Concerns
My son's girlfriend has Hepatitis C. My grandson was born last June 2006. Her doctor said it was okay for her to breastfeed and she did. My grandson just had his first Hepatitis C test and they say he is testing positive for the Hepatitis C antibody. We are extremely worried. He is only 22 pounds and does not have an ounce of fat on him. What is going to happen to him? There is no cure, is there? Will he get progressively worse? Is it possible he contracted it because of the breastfeeding? Or was it through birth? Can he lead a normal life?
I know you mean well. And I respect your opinion, but,,, (saw that comming I bet) .. When newer poster asks such a question, I would have handled it as above by others. First responses from me is: A. HepC is blood borne, not other body fluids. B. There are others with first hand expierience that will tell there side. C. talk to a good hepitologist if needed D. Do not blame the mother.
People come here for support more than criticisms.
Aloha, R.
People come here for support more than criticisms.
Aloha, R.
I got hepatitis C in 1981. My 3 children were born between 1984 and 1995. The last one with a C-section. All 3 were breastfed, for a period ranging from 14 months to 21 months. The oldest one bit my nipple once so blood came through the cut. None of them caught hep C. The doctors told me hep C is not contagious through breastfeeding. I would brestfeed again today, it is such a wonderful experience for both the mother and the child.
And yes, I remember being told not to test my youngest for hep C until he was at least 18 months, because before that he would carry my antibodies.
And yes, I remember being told not to test my youngest for hep C until he was at least 18 months, because before that he would carry my antibodies.
I know you mean well. And I respect your opinion, but,,, (saw that comming I bet) .. When newer poster asks such a question, I would have handled it as above by others. First responses from me is: A. HepC is blood borne, not other body fluids. B. There are others with first hand expierience that will tell there side. C. talk to a good hepitologist if needed D. Do not blame the mother.
People come here for support more than criticisms.-
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Livindabest,
You're absolutely right I do mean well and I'm sure you do too. As far as supporting the poster- my opening line was to her, which was supportive. The rest of my thread was directed to the forum. If pointing to an article which states that hep c IS found in breast milk is non- supportive thats your opinion and whoever elses opinion who may agree with you, including the woman that opened the thread. Making a statement that a baby can bite a mother and possibly contract the virus is truth and should not be viewed as negative or non supportive. People need to question their doctors more when doctors make '"Ridiculous" statements such as "only if your nipples are cracked will you put the baby at risk." I would have flipped out in the office if a doctor told me that and then expected my answer to be "Oh okay doctor that sounds like I can breast feed with no problem then and just keep my fingers crossed I don't bleed a microscopic drop. I'm sure I'll see it doctor I have x-ray vision just like superman." I know that sounds sarcastic but I think everyone should be more concerned about the 'ridiculous' than the 'sarcastic.'
People come here for support more than criticisms.-
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Livindabest,
You're absolutely right I do mean well and I'm sure you do too. As far as supporting the poster- my opening line was to her, which was supportive. The rest of my thread was directed to the forum. If pointing to an article which states that hep c IS found in breast milk is non- supportive thats your opinion and whoever elses opinion who may agree with you, including the woman that opened the thread. Making a statement that a baby can bite a mother and possibly contract the virus is truth and should not be viewed as negative or non supportive. People need to question their doctors more when doctors make '"Ridiculous" statements such as "only if your nipples are cracked will you put the baby at risk." I would have flipped out in the office if a doctor told me that and then expected my answer to be "Oh okay doctor that sounds like I can breast feed with no problem then and just keep my fingers crossed I don't bleed a microscopic drop. I'm sure I'll see it doctor I have x-ray vision just like superman." I know that sounds sarcastic but I think everyone should be more concerned about the 'ridiculous' than the 'sarcastic.'
The reason why doctors advise to breast feed when the mother is HCV positive is that the benefits of doing so, far outway the very small risk.
HCV is a BBV and requires infected blood finding an entry point into anothers blood stream. Even if HCV can be transmitted thru other body fluids (this is doubtful) it would still require an entry point into the blood stream.
If HCV was easily transmitted thru body fluids, half the planet would have it.
CS
HCV is a BBV and requires infected blood finding an entry point into anothers blood stream. Even if HCV can be transmitted thru other body fluids (this is doubtful) it would still require an entry point into the blood stream.
If HCV was easily transmitted thru body fluids, half the planet would have it.
CS
If HCV was easily transmitted thru body fluids, half the planet would have it.
CS
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Well when half the planet is tested maybe we will find out that they do have it, then what?? Do we then say "oh maybe it is easier to contract than we thought its was?
The above article I posted does mention it has been found in breast milk. Should woman take the risk of breast feeding knowing this just becasue the odds of contracting it may be low?
As far as the benefits of breast feeding, that is questionable at this point IMO. Most peoples diets are pretty bad. That's not being critical or judgemental, just take a look around at the shape most people are in or look at the line at the fast food joints. Doctors pushed formulas way back when until they started to get 99 phone calls from each patient a day saying the formula wasn't agreeing with the baby,,,then all of a sudden the doctors went back to the "oh lets do the natural thing and breast feed." Yeah the women stopped driving the doctors crazy, so the doctors tell everyone breast feeding is great now. Yes it's great, I agree, IF the woman is healthy and eats properly it has advantages, but most people or Americans I should say do not eat properly.
CS
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Well when half the planet is tested maybe we will find out that they do have it, then what?? Do we then say "oh maybe it is easier to contract than we thought its was?
The above article I posted does mention it has been found in breast milk. Should woman take the risk of breast feeding knowing this just becasue the odds of contracting it may be low?
As far as the benefits of breast feeding, that is questionable at this point IMO. Most peoples diets are pretty bad. That's not being critical or judgemental, just take a look around at the shape most people are in or look at the line at the fast food joints. Doctors pushed formulas way back when until they started to get 99 phone calls from each patient a day saying the formula wasn't agreeing with the baby,,,then all of a sudden the doctors went back to the "oh lets do the natural thing and breast feed." Yeah the women stopped driving the doctors crazy, so the doctors tell everyone breast feeding is great now. Yes it's great, I agree, IF the woman is healthy and eats properly it has advantages, but most people or Americans I should say do not eat properly.
I can certainly understand the point you are making... but ya know...this sparked another Hummmmmmm...
See if the baby bites his Lip... the infant is bleeding OUT.. Not IN
Point being, & The reason why I go hummm is...
I contracted HCV in 82 with a blood transfusion I received when I lost a baby in my last trimester ... My Live Birth Children where born in 85 & 88...
I gave birth Vaginally to both my children.. (now 19 & 21 years old) & not only did I breastfeed.. but (not knowing I had HCV at the time & Due To High Risk Pregnancy's & Delivery) my girls had INTERNAL Fetal Monitors attached to their scalp while still in my bloody birth canal... (& If That wouldn't be bleeding IN... I don't know what else would)...
That monitor is kind of like a needle stick... more like a CORK Screw that they twist into the infants skin & attach to the scalp .... I had both my girls & everyone I had ever had an intimate relationship with tested in 2003... & EVERYONE came up NEGATIVE....
I am sure during that time that I have also shared razors with everyone in my family... & I know I have certainly had sex during "that time of the month" at some point during that 24 year time frame....
I also know of several major accidents that I have had over the years that involved lots of blood & their assistance...
Once I almost cut my lip off with a lawn mower.. & once I have almost cut one of my fingers off with a hatchet, another time I cracked my head open that required 34 stitches ... & another time I cut a different finger down to the bone!
Bottom line is... surely if it where that easily contracted, then someone in my family would have OBVIOUSLY obtained it... & everyone has come up undetectable... so circumstances MUST really have to be just right!
I mean if it where that easy... then why wouldn't we get infected by a mosquito bite... or when my Green Bird bite the stew & blood out of me & then turned around & bit the blood out of one of my kids (within seconds)..????
I don't know.... I guess I'll just sit here & Go Hummmm!!!
In the meantime, I certainly hope that the baby will not have an actual viral load when re-tested... & chances are GOOD that it will NOT...
It could just be the mothers antibodies.... but it is definitely something that should be monitored... but also remember that it progresses differently in all individuals... so even if the baby should actually have it... it is NOT a death sentence....
I had it 23 years before discovering it (much less ever hearing about it)... I didn't have any significant liver damage, & my treatment was OPTIONAL Both Times!
I just thank my higher power that I was never an alcoholic, or surely I would have sustained significant damage...
Soooo, also a toddler is certainly not gonna be drinking booze & all these other BAD things that could possibly lead to more rapid progression.. I just feel like the grandma can put her mind at ease & realize that there is plenty of time to follow up with their health care provider... & that it is too soon to make a judgement call... & Even IF worse came to worse... again.. it is NOT a death sentence... So rather than Panic..Find Out MORE First & allow TIME to determine IF it is the antibodies or not... Then Go From There!
:)
See if the baby bites his Lip... the infant is bleeding OUT.. Not IN
Point being, & The reason why I go hummm is...
I contracted HCV in 82 with a blood transfusion I received when I lost a baby in my last trimester ... My Live Birth Children where born in 85 & 88...
I gave birth Vaginally to both my children.. (now 19 & 21 years old) & not only did I breastfeed.. but (not knowing I had HCV at the time & Due To High Risk Pregnancy's & Delivery) my girls had INTERNAL Fetal Monitors attached to their scalp while still in my bloody birth canal... (& If That wouldn't be bleeding IN... I don't know what else would)...
That monitor is kind of like a needle stick... more like a CORK Screw that they twist into the infants skin & attach to the scalp .... I had both my girls & everyone I had ever had an intimate relationship with tested in 2003... & EVERYONE came up NEGATIVE....
I am sure during that time that I have also shared razors with everyone in my family... & I know I have certainly had sex during "that time of the month" at some point during that 24 year time frame....
I also know of several major accidents that I have had over the years that involved lots of blood & their assistance...
Once I almost cut my lip off with a lawn mower.. & once I have almost cut one of my fingers off with a hatchet, another time I cracked my head open that required 34 stitches ... & another time I cut a different finger down to the bone!
Bottom line is... surely if it where that easily contracted, then someone in my family would have OBVIOUSLY obtained it... & everyone has come up undetectable... so circumstances MUST really have to be just right!
I mean if it where that easy... then why wouldn't we get infected by a mosquito bite... or when my Green Bird bite the stew & blood out of me & then turned around & bit the blood out of one of my kids (within seconds)..????
I don't know.... I guess I'll just sit here & Go Hummmm!!!
In the meantime, I certainly hope that the baby will not have an actual viral load when re-tested... & chances are GOOD that it will NOT...
It could just be the mothers antibodies.... but it is definitely something that should be monitored... but also remember that it progresses differently in all individuals... so even if the baby should actually have it... it is NOT a death sentence....
I had it 23 years before discovering it (much less ever hearing about it)... I didn't have any significant liver damage, & my treatment was OPTIONAL Both Times!
I just thank my higher power that I was never an alcoholic, or surely I would have sustained significant damage...
Soooo, also a toddler is certainly not gonna be drinking booze & all these other BAD things that could possibly lead to more rapid progression.. I just feel like the grandma can put her mind at ease & realize that there is plenty of time to follow up with their health care provider... & that it is too soon to make a judgement call... & Even IF worse came to worse... again.. it is NOT a death sentence... So rather than Panic..Find Out MORE First & allow TIME to determine IF it is the antibodies or not... Then Go From There!
:)
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