About Hepatitis C in Babies
A contagious disease that can result in liver damage and death, Hepatitis C is typically transmitted when the blood of an infected person comes in contact with the blood of an uninfected person, usually through sharing needles. As of June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 180 million people across the globe are infected by Hepatis C virus (HCV). (see reference 1) Although this disease is relatively rare in babies, infants born to infected mothers can get the disease through perinatal infection.
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Acute HCV
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Acute HCV infection occurs during the first sixth months following exposure to the virus. Many babies have no symptoms at all, while others may experience flu-like symptoms--including fever, loss of appetite, vomiting, and dark urine
Chronic HCV
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Chronic HCV infection takes place when the virus remains with your baby for more than 6 months. Most babies with chronic HCV do not show symptoms; that occurs because the disease progresses so slowly. However, they are still carriers for the disease and can infect others.
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History
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In the past, babies were much more likely to contract Hepatitis C in the United States through routine blood transfusions. However, blood screening for the disease--which started in 1992--has virtually eliminated this mode of infection.
Pregnancy and HCV
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 out of every 25 infants born to an infected mother becomes infected with Hepatitis C. If you have both Hepatitis C and HIV, then your unborn baby's risks of contracting the virus increase.
Protection
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As of June 2009, Hepatitis C has no vaccination. The best way to protect your baby from Hepatitis C is to avoid getting infected with HCV yourself, especially by using injected drugs, which is the most common cause of HCV infection in the United States.
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