hep c mother of 2..do our kids get "it" also?

[kapualani]

I am a mother of 2 grown children ages 30 and 29. i have hep c and was wondering if anyone knows if the children can get it thru chidbirth?

[worry06]

I found out that I infected in 2006 with indetermine genotype, so I had all my 3 kids tested.   My youngest one was infected with genotype 1b and has been waiting for the new medication to treat for 24 weeks.  They retested everything last couple weeks before start the treatment and found out that her genotype is 6 instead of 1b, so the new protocol is not applicable anymore !! she is so disappointed and request a retest, and now we are waiting again.................  Doctor scratched his head,  he can't give us an answer why the genotype is changing...............
W.

[kapualani]

Thanks so much for all of your answers to my ? about hepc and my kids..You all are amazing people and I feel blessed to have found this forum. I truly believe that all things happen for a reason, even if those things are not so positive. I have learned much from a year on trtmt. and will be doing another in about a week.  I will ask my girls to get tested, so that we all can get on with life.  I did bring this up about 6 months ago while in trtmt., but i don't think they were ready.. All in their own time.. Again Mahalo {thank you ) for your caring..Take Care and many blessings to each and everyone of you... Kapua

[Blueyedbabes]

This is something that has bothered me ever since I had found out I had the virus. Both of my children tested negative 2 years ago, now ages 8 & 3. It sickens me to think that I could transfer to my children. I had the infection since prior to either of their births. I will continue to try to keep them tested every year or two to ensure they are okay and catch it early if there is some way they contracted it.

[wtbleep]

I found out I had the virus when pregnant with my second child.  Unfortunately she is infected but my first child isn't so it's really hard to say how this thing is passed on from mother to child.  I was in a study for vertical transmisson so I was monitored all through the pregnancy and after the birth.  They seemed to think it has to do with VL at the time of birth and I had to give samples of my breast milk and all.  Not fun but it will be harder to watch my daughter struggle with tx in the future.  Luckily it is rare (1-3% I think) so they should get themselves tested.  I hope the best for you and your children.

Pauline

[Isobella]

I had no idea I had HCV when I gave birth, or for the 13 months while I breastfed.  Or for many years later.  

I was diagnosed when I was ~46.  She was diagnosed when she was ~17.  I'm now 3 years SVR and she's about to start tx in November.

It's not common, but it's possible. Whether through actual childbirth or through breastfeeding...not through breastmilk, but from a common occurance when the nipple area may become chapped/cracked/bleeding,  and the baby may be teething....it's a variable to keep in mind. Personally, that's the route of transmission I attribute to my situation.

Your kids are older and may have to do the research on their own and decide to test on their own.  All you can do is be honest, encouraging and try not to make it about yourself.  Please don't be offended by that last statement, but in my experience, my daughter will absolutely not tolerate it when I go to the "OMGosh...I'm so sorry" place.... because it was not something that I did on purpose.  It's all gotta be on her terms and I just have to sit back and respect that.

It's a tough place to be as a Mom.  My heart is with you.  I'm betting they will be virus-free.  I'm hoping they will agree to test.

(((((MomHugs)))) to You!

Isobella

[Vannh9]

Hi,

I have a 26 year old daughter and 16 year old son and am pretty sure I had it when both were born. I had them both tested to give me peace...one less thing to be concerned about while treating. As others have posted there is a very small chance it can be passed during childbirth, but it is possible. good luck!


Vann

[pcds]

I had hep c when I had my kids now grown.  I had them tested and they were OK.  Very low chance, but a chance none the less.   I worried myself sick until they were tested.  95% or better they are ok.

[meakea]

Children can get it through childbirth but the odds are very, very low.  My three sons were born when I, unknowingly, had Hep C and they are all now adults who tested negative.  Best thing is to ask them to get tested just to be sure but odds are they are fine.

[joemc34606]

There is a chance your children can get it through child birth, did you have the virus that long ago? Have they been tested? Joe