I work at a daycare & there is a baby whose parents both have Hepatitis C. Should I be concerned?
476419
Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus, meaning that it is rarely spread through casual, breastfeeding or even sexual contact (as long as the partner does not come in contact with blood).  Statisically only 4 out of 100 babies born to a mother with Hepatitis C will contract the disease.  Unfortunately the test for whether the baby has contracted Hepatitis C is inaccurate until the child is at least 18 months old, that is when the mother's own antigens for Hepatitis C are completely gone from the baby's system.  Unfortunately there is no vaccine at this time, nor a cure.  Appoximately 80% of people with Hepatitis C will develop long-term infections, 75% develop Chronic Liver Disease, and is the leading reason for liver transplants.\nSince it is not spread through casual contact, there is no need for ejecting the child from daycare, however the caretaker should be a little extra diligent in monitoring for bleeding, and during diaper changes.
1024269
get an explicit video of advanced liver disease and plug it in for him to watch....he should back it off to one or two a day and just enjoy having a lesser amount. he's getting a buzz and that isn't a good habit to get into....you've got your work cut out for you, it's going to be a hard sell but tell him how much you love him and that you only want to help because you care. is he getting red cheeks and nose yet?
168770
In addition to your obligation to tell others who could become infected if your sickness is contagious, confiding in a loved one or trusted friend (or counselor, clergy, etc) will relieve you of the additional burden of carrying this secret alone.  \n\nDisclosing a health condition may feel risky (if you fear losing friends or your job) or scary (if there's stigma involved and you're uncertain whether others will treat you differently), but ultimately you'll be glad to get the burden off your shoulders - 'the truth will make you free'!\n\nConsider getting yourself fully educated about your sickness before you tell others.  That way, when you tell someone else, you can give them the facts and dispel any misinformation they may have about it.  You may be surprised at how supportive and caring they'll be and wish you'd gotten it off your chest sooner!\n\nThe link below may be useful to you.  While it talks about disclosing hepatitis C, it may address some of the same fears and issues you have about keeping YOUR condition a secret.
502378
Hi there...I'm not aware of any dangers but just let it runs its course.  Sometimes women need to be concerned when they get a virus early on, say in the first trimester.  But your baby is probably in a good stage and in good health so I would only do what you should always do with a virus.  Rest, and plenty of liquids.
1084196
If they have hepatitis B & C it is safe to visit them as long as you don't swap body fluids or engage in any activities that might expose you to blood.  Hep A is fine just be sure to wash your hands afterwards, and before touching your eyes or mouth, or eating anything.
1093683
It is extremely unlikely but hepatitis B is found in blood, saliva, and other bodily fluids of a person infected with it. It is usually transmitted to another person if blood or fluid enters anothers body through a cut or broken skin. (also sexual intercourse and including injection)\n\nIF the other baby has got Hepatitis B then you may want to get your baby tested just in case; speak to a doctor if you are worried.
68230
In truth, the risk of transmission to co-workers or other household members seems to be quite low, and even sexual transmission is rare. The CDC recommends the use of sexual prophylactics by anyone infected with hepatitis C or any other sexually transmissible disease, but common contact is not dangerous. While it should be kept in mind that there is no known mode of transmission for approximately 10% of cases, this should not be taken as a statement that it can be easily casually acquired. Routine precautions around blood, and avoiding the sharing of toothbrushes, razors, and other personal items should provide adequate protection.\n\n\n\nA number of agents can cause hepatitis, including infectious diseases, chemical poisons, drugs and alcohol. Hepatitis C is a contagious viral disease that leads to serious, permanent liver damage, and in many cases, death.\n IV drug users represent the largest single risk group.  Sexual contact has been clearly identified as a means of transmitting hepatitis C.  Household contact with another household member that has hepatitis C has also been strongly implicated, and this, in combination with heterosexual exposure, is believed to be responsible for approximately 13% of all infections.  Around 2% of all cases of hepatitis C are thought to be contracted through the occupational risk (needle-stick injuries, blood spills, etc) involved with the health care profession.\n\nPrisoners have enormous incidence of infection - rates reported in some California prisons exceed 80%, with certain institutions reporting nearly 100% of their prisoners infected.\n\nSome skin piercing practices, notably tattooing, body piercing, and acupuncture, have contributed significantly to the spread of HCV, particularly in less industrialized nations. Tattooing in particular poses a serious risk. Even in the presence of good sterilization, studies have suggested that the ink used in tattooing can become contaminated and transmit the virus.\n\nCocaine users have an abnormally high risk of infection due to the fact that they frequently share snorting straws, which may have small amounts of blood-carrying mucous on them. \n\nLess obvious, specialized risk factors have been identified resulting from indirect exposures to blood - including manicures, shared toothbrushes and razors, and straight razors in barber shops.\n\nIn many surveys, about a third of people who are alcoholics are also infected with the HCV virus.
1076421
I was told I had hepatitis C, about 30 years ago. I was young,and did not care. So far, no problems. maybe I am just lucky.
704343
You have probably had cytomegalovirus yourself (most everyone has) so you should not get sick, therefore your baby should not.  However, it is possible so some common sense precautions should be taken.  I could try to explain but you'd be better off reading for yourself.  Also gobs of information at webMD.  Good luck and God bless!
935430
Birth -- an infected mother can transmit the Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus to the baby during delivery or shortly thereafter. \n Infants born of mothers who either currently have acute hepatitis B or who have had the infection receive a special immunization series to prevent viral transmission. This includes administering hepatitis B immune globulin and a hepatitis B immunization within 12 hours of birth. Please consult your doctor.\nPlease see the webpages for more details on Hepatitis.
574151
Usually there has to be an order from a physician to check for certain things. But some doctors order tests like hepatitis b, c and hiv if the patient is pregnant or seems to be at high risk for infection, If you feel that you need to be tested contact a local health department. the price is not as expensive as private doctor office and of course all test results will be confidential Good Luck
130833
probably, yes.  If you own or run a restaurant & keep a cat, or you know someone who does, I suggest you get in touch with your county's/state's health board & find out about that.....I'm pretty sure that's some serious health code violation.
348317
that is very interesting and usefull information and  would normally concern me if i had not already had a test done in the recent months due to elevated liver enzymes, i also had a blood transfusion at birth . before 1979 . thanks
1154526
ONLY WHEN THEY BREATHE !!!  YES YES YES!!\n\nPlease see your doctor and your infection control nurse at work.  You will need to be treated and at least wear a mask while working.  I would advise you to take a leave of absence.  Hey, you don't want to spread this virus any farther to unsuspecting people, do you??? It could kill them...and you!   Please get treatment asap!
1106052
Hepatitis C is transmitted mainly through exposure to blood. Sexual transmission of Hepatitis C is very uncommon.  Hepatitis C can also be transmitted through sharing Needles.  Basically if your blood comes in contact with her blood then she can get Hepatitis C.  That is why it is always best to use a condom during sex if you have any kind of disease, also the best thing to do is to tell your wife that way she can protect herself and be careful.
847702
No! Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus; that means it is only transmitted from blood to blood. You do not get it from casual contact; that includes sharing a cigarette with someone who has hep c. \nYou should not share razors or toothbrushes with anyone; the virus can live outside the body for days and can be transmitted to others (cuts from shaving or bleeding gums). Other than blood to blood transmission, you can't catch it. \nTransmission factors are tattoos, piercings, IV drug use (even if only one time), blood transfusions before 1992, EMT's paramedics, nurses, & doctors exposure through work, pnuematic vaccination guns used by the military in the 60's & 70's, kidney dialysis, etc. \nHope this helped calm your fears.
203055
Hepatitis A, B, and C are viral infections that, combined, affect an estimated 5% to 6% of Americans. \n\nHepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A usually causes temporary liver inflammation, and most people recover without any long-term liver problems. \n\nOther viruses, most commonly hepatitis B and hepatitis C, also cause hepatitis. Hepatitis A is the most common type of viral hepatitis.\n\nHepatitis B is a serious disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Infection with this virus can cause scarring of the liver, liver failure, liver cancer, and even death. \n\nHepatitis B is spread in infected blood and other bodily fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions. \n\nWhat Happens to People With Hepatitis B? \n\nIn most cases (up to 95%), hepatitis B causes limited infection. Usually people manage to fight off the infection successfully within a few months, developing an immunity that lasts a lifetime. (This means you won't get the infection again.) Blood tests show evidence of this immunity, but no signs of active infection. \n\nWhile the majority of hepatitis B patients recover completely, a small percentage of them can't shake the disease and become carriers. Carriers can transmit the disease to others even when their own symptoms have vanished. \n\nSome carriers go on to develop chronic hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis is an ongoing infection of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis, or hardening of the liver, causes liver tissue to scar and stop working. \n\nIf you are carrying the virus you should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, tissue, or sperm. Tell your doctor, dentist, and sex partner that you are a hepatitis B carrier. \n\nHow Common Is Hepatitis B? \n\nApproximately 70,000 Americans contract Hepatitis B each year, making infection with this virus about twice as common as infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. However, rates have greatly declined since the 1980's when around 260,000 Americans were infected each year. This decrease in infection rates is, in large part, due to the increased use of the HBV vaccine. \n\nThere are an estimated 1.25 million people living with chronic Hepatitis B in the U.S.\n\nHow Do I Know I Have Hepatitis B? \n\nSymptoms of acute infection (when a person is first infected with hepatitis) include: \n\nJaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes and/or a brownish or orange tint to the urine) \nUnusually light colored stool \nUnexplained fatigue that persists for weeks or months \nFlu-like symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting \nAbdominal pain \nOften, symptoms occur 1-6 months after exposure. An estimated 30% of those infected do not have any symptoms at all. \n\nPeople with chronic active hepatitis experience similar symptoms, but their fatigue is much more severe, and they can have confusion or disorientation. \n\nHow Is Hepatitis B Diagnosed? \n\nIf your doctor suspects that you may have hepatitis B, he or she will perform a complete physical examination and order blood tests to look at the function of your liver. Hepatitis B is confirmed with blood tests that detect the virus. \n\nIf your disease becomes chronic, liver biopsies (tissue samples) may be obtained to detect the severity of the disease. \n\nHow Is Hepatitis B Treated? \n\nIf you get to a doctor shortly after the exposure, you'll often receive immediate immunization with the Hepatitis B vaccination and a shot to boost the immune system to fight off the infection. \n\nBut if you get sick, bed rest is usually necessary to speed recovery. Some doctors recommend a special diet, and suggest that sufferers try to eat as much as possible despite the nausea. \n\nAlso, take extra care of your liver! Now is not the time to drink alcohol, or take Tylenol (acetaminophen) as they can harm the liver. Check with your doctor before taking any other medications, herbal remedies, or supplements as some of them can worse