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Re-Post What is the Definition of 'High' Viral Load During Pregnancy/Birth?
I'm sorry, I reposted this b/c the 'post a comment' option was somehow disabled on the first post I had..It leads to a web page instead.
I have been trying to research information on the web re: vertical transmission of HCV & viral loads. I noticed there seems to be a correlation between the mother's viral load at the time of birth & transmission to the newborn.
I have been Hep C positive since at least 2000. I gave birth to a son on 9/30/03. My last test for viral load before I gave birth was 7 months prior in March, 2003 & it was 572,000, way up from 188,000 in Sept 2002..VL seemed to spike during my pregnancy & then afterward, dropped to down to 29,500 in March 04, then undetectable June 6 2006 & now I just got more results today, Aug 8th & VL is 5,035, up again.
My question is what is considered a dangerous high VL for a mother while pregnant or giving birth? IS Hep C transmitted intauterinely or during the birth?
Is it possible the pregnancy caused my VL to rise or is that just a coincindence? IS it normal for the ranges to fluctuate so greatly?
Thanks,
Lisa
I have been trying to research information on the web re: vertical transmission of HCV & viral loads. I noticed there seems to be a correlation between the mother's viral load at the time of birth & transmission to the newborn.
I have been Hep C positive since at least 2000. I gave birth to a son on 9/30/03. My last test for viral load before I gave birth was 7 months prior in March, 2003 & it was 572,000, way up from 188,000 in Sept 2002..VL seemed to spike during my pregnancy & then afterward, dropped to down to 29,500 in March 04, then undetectable June 6 2006 & now I just got more results today, Aug 8th & VL is 5,035, up again.
My question is what is considered a dangerous high VL for a mother while pregnant or giving birth? IS Hep C transmitted intauterinely or during the birth?
Is it possible the pregnancy caused my VL to rise or is that just a coincindence? IS it normal for the ranges to fluctuate so greatly?
Thanks,
Lisa
Wow I'm sorry. Are you seeking treatment for your baby or waiting til later? Your viral load was 1 mil or so at birth? I am concerned that mine was 525,000 7 months prior & wonder if it could have jumped to/past 1 mil in that time. The numbers really went down, down after I gave birth. My son is gonna be 3 in Sept so he could be tested, I'm just really worried. Really, what new drugs Your
I had a C-Sect but it wasn't planned. My water broke hours before but labor didn't progress at all for 5-6 hours so they went in.
I read somewhere tonight that girl babies are infected slightly more than boys..
Lisa
I had a C-Sect but it wasn't planned. My water broke hours before but labor didn't progress at all for 5-6 hours so they went in.
I read somewhere tonight that girl babies are infected slightly more than boys..
Lisa
I don't know about vl and verticle transmission but amommy is correct on the 5% rate. That percentage is for viginal delivery (snook I have know idea if water birth is included in that data) and even lower for c-section, 3% but obviously it does happen. My baby is 3 too (yours almost)and we just got the all clear a couple of weeks ago and it was very scary. I know I don't have to tell you how bad it feels but the entire time I kept thinking about how my life has revolved around protecting my baby and what if it turns out I am his worst enemy by giving him this virus. Fortunately, that was not the case for us and I hope this will be true for you as well. And appears snook turned out pretty great even though the fates were different:)
Alady makes a good point that a positive antibody test until the age of 18 months does not mean much except that the baby created antibodies to the virus in utero. After 18 months however a positive antibody test most likely indicates the child does have the virus according to pediatric infectious disease specialist we saw. Further on that, children infected this way have a 50% spontaneous recovery rate...more good news.
Amommy, I am curious about your child's doctors treatment recommendations. I know they will treat children as young as 3 but the doctor we saw said he did not recommend treatment until a much later age because of the slow progression in infected children and improvements in treatment.
Hope some of this info helps and I will be thinking about you and your baby. Keep us posted.
Kathy
Alady makes a good point that a positive antibody test until the age of 18 months does not mean much except that the baby created antibodies to the virus in utero. After 18 months however a positive antibody test most likely indicates the child does have the virus according to pediatric infectious disease specialist we saw. Further on that, children infected this way have a 50% spontaneous recovery rate...more good news.
Amommy, I am curious about your child's doctors treatment recommendations. I know they will treat children as young as 3 but the doctor we saw said he did not recommend treatment until a much later age because of the slow progression in infected children and improvements in treatment.
Hope some of this info helps and I will be thinking about you and your baby. Keep us posted.
Kathy
Hey Strator, how are you doing my friend? I saw your post the other day, and I have to say I am so happy for you that you have come to such a peaceful decision to stop tx. I hope and pray for you that your sides disappear as soon as possible and you get your life back. Your cure is coming, and it will be sooner rather than later, I just know it. You gave your liver a good break from this stuff, and kept up with your busy, demanding life at the same time. Kudos to you. You need to stick around here, you are such an asset to this community!
Goldyn, I'm hanging in there! I will go on Monday for my 3 month post blood test. Anxiety is running high. So, I found myself glued to this place the past couple of days. Always find comfort here! You are so sweet to check in on me. My hair has pretty much stopped falling out and is much thicker now! My fingernails are so incredibly weak, it is kind of odd. Overall, I am feeling great! I keep picking up these summer colds, but that's what a snotty 2 year old gets ya. How are you holding up? You are ALMOST THERE! I know it seems like time is dragging during treatment,and for me anyway, it got worse once the end was in sight. I promise you that it will go by quickly! You are doing great! Can't wait for your post saying you are done.
Poppea and mommy too, we are more than likely going to wait on tx for my daughter until she is a bit older. Her specialist is one of the leading guru's for hep c in kids, and in some ways, I think she wants a test subject so I need to keep that in mind and not let it affect our decision. Her recommendation is based on getting the kids done with treatment before they start school. Less stuff to deal with if it is done and overwith before the kindergarten years. Also, the fewer years you have the disease, the more likely you are to clear it. I however, feel optimistic about vx 950 and think we will wait to see what shakes out with that. My daughter is going to be 2.5 this month, so we have 6 months to see what the VX 950 data is showing. We will not even think about it until we get some more info about that. It IS stressful, but at the same time, she is such an AMAZING and incredible little girl, that I can't imagine it any other way.
I am anxiously counting down to 6 months post tx so we can try for another baby! :)
Blessings to all of you!
It is so hard to keep up around here these days, that I haven't been posting much, but I'll pop in when I see a thread I can contribute too!
Goldyn, I'm hanging in there! I will go on Monday for my 3 month post blood test. Anxiety is running high. So, I found myself glued to this place the past couple of days. Always find comfort here! You are so sweet to check in on me. My hair has pretty much stopped falling out and is much thicker now! My fingernails are so incredibly weak, it is kind of odd. Overall, I am feeling great! I keep picking up these summer colds, but that's what a snotty 2 year old gets ya. How are you holding up? You are ALMOST THERE! I know it seems like time is dragging during treatment,and for me anyway, it got worse once the end was in sight. I promise you that it will go by quickly! You are doing great! Can't wait for your post saying you are done.
Poppea and mommy too, we are more than likely going to wait on tx for my daughter until she is a bit older. Her specialist is one of the leading guru's for hep c in kids, and in some ways, I think she wants a test subject so I need to keep that in mind and not let it affect our decision. Her recommendation is based on getting the kids done with treatment before they start school. Less stuff to deal with if it is done and overwith before the kindergarten years. Also, the fewer years you have the disease, the more likely you are to clear it. I however, feel optimistic about vx 950 and think we will wait to see what shakes out with that. My daughter is going to be 2.5 this month, so we have 6 months to see what the VX 950 data is showing. We will not even think about it until we get some more info about that. It IS stressful, but at the same time, she is such an AMAZING and incredible little girl, that I can't imagine it any other way.
I am anxiously counting down to 6 months post tx so we can try for another baby! :)
Blessings to all of you!
It is so hard to keep up around here these days, that I haven't been posting much, but I'll pop in when I see a thread I can contribute too!
Forgot to mention that my viral load during pregnancy was around 5 million. It did not decrease at all during pg. However, my ALT and AST decreased during pg. :)
I just wanted to say that it's really nice, even after tx, to see a group of currently/once HCV positive moms of little ones. I finished treatment about a year and a half ago & remember feeling like the only person my age that was dealing with a toddler & treatment at the same time. Welcome:)
I'm happy for you all is well with your baby. You must be so relieved. I have to get my son tested. He's never been tested yet. He's on vacation w/his grandparents right now but I am taking him for bloodwork the day after he gets back the on the 13th.
What is vx 950?
Lisa
What is vx 950?
Lisa
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