How is pregnancy with a hepatitis C

It happens that this period is overshadowed by all sorts of problems and complications. The reasons for this are many, and one of them is infection, and the viruses breeding in the body of the expectant mother.

It is often pregnancy provokes the aggravation of the disease, which the woman does not even know. One such disease is hepatitis (liver inflammation).

Hepatitis can be caused by different factors. These include endocrine disorders, chronic diseases, poisoning, various infections.

The causes of the disease

The main symptoms they are quite similar:

• yellowing on the skin and mucous membranes;
• pain in the right upper quadrant;
• change the color of urine and feces;
• during exacerbation of intoxication and fever.

That is autoimmune hepatitis is a rare disease, often manifested in women, sometimes during pregnancy. It is a systemic disturbance in the body, which for unclear reasons starts using the immune system for the destruction of your liver. Although autoimmune hepatitis could affect development of the fetus and complicate childbirth, he is not so dangerous for pregnant women, as some viral hepatitis.

Different groups of viruses entering into the liver cells and causing inflammation, in the future behave differently. Viruses, group D cannot multiply in the human body. Serious consequences from infection are only in the presence of the virus B. Hepatitis caused by E virus, is very dangerous, but in countries with cold climate and good water supply are rare. Viruses of group A, which is easy to get infected with oral route, time without washing hands, often cause acute hepatitis, but never chronic. Therefore, they do not result in complications such as hepatitis B and C, capable of hitting the whole liver.

The mechanism of infection by viruses B and C are similar: they are transmitted through blood. Cases of sexual transmission, transfusions of blood or its products is possible, but unlikely. Most at risk today are those who use non-sterile needles and instruments, as well as risk of injury.

Infection occurs through microdamages at different cosmetic operations, tattooing, in private clinics, beauty salons. Time has not identified hepatitis C and hepatitis B in pregnancy can lead to the death of a child or complications during delivery, to provoke premature birth. Against viruses in group B have good vaccination and identified in the early stages of hepatitis B successfully treated. A lot more problems causes hepatitis C, an effective vaccine is still not found.

Treatment and prevention

The disease generates a lot of gossip and speculation. Someone seriously puts an equal sign between hepatitis C and HIV. Many doubt whether it is possible to give birth with hepatitis C, and if allowed, how to give birth properly.

Ask questions:

1. If hepatitis is transmitted through everyday?
2. Is it possible a normal pregnancy with Hep C?
3. How can the virus be passed on to the child?

Some believe pregnancy after hepatitis C treatment is impossible. There is no reason to think so! A viral infection itself is not able to affect the female reproductive function. Another thing – related inflammatory processes. They can really backfire, however, as any other disease.

Hepatitis the majority of pregnant women are detected at initial prenatal examination. Hepatitis C is scary is the fact that for a long time does not manifest itself, and its first symptoms resemble the flu. Slight malaise, headache, insomnia, aching joints, many blamed on overwork, virus, meanwhile, adapts and reproduces.

To identify most potential problems will help the survey conducted at the planning stage of pregnancy for which the woman needs to go to the gynecologist, and the man to the urologist. Doctors will conduct research, prescribe tests that detect hepatitis C and B, syphilis and HIV, the threat of intrauterine infection. You also need to be examined by a physician, to take the test on biochemistry and hormones.

If in the examination of the virus is still detected, it is important to remember that this disease is not genetic and is not directly inherited. When the carrier is the father, and the woman is healthy, the baby and the expectant mother are in no danger if you observe basic rules of safety and hygiene.

Sometimes hepatitis C is passed to the woman at conception.

Risk factors are mucosal damage:

• erosion of the genitals;
• a weakened immune system;
• the presence of other diseases or infections.

Infectious disease physician in consultation will help to choose the most safe method of fertilization. If the risk of infection is high, it is most often used in vitro fertilization. The procedure of IVF at the time entirely fit in one menstrual cycle. More difficult are the preliminary examination and preparation, which can last up to six months.

If a woman discovered hepatitis C and pregnancy, it is necessary to consult a specialist-a hepatologist. He will give recommendations on how to monitor the nutrition and health will appoint the research, allowing to control the activity of the virus, will choose the necessary treatment.

Although hepatitis C in pregnant women is a complex disease that requires attention, there are a number of drugs that will facilitate the patient’s condition and can help to significantly reduce the probability of infection for the baby. Treatment is complex and is mostly supportive in nature. Hepatitis C during pregnancy causes various disorders in the liver, so often, doctors prescribe enzymes and drugs that improve digestion.

They are appointed agents to maintain immunity. Antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs are used only in exacerbations when there is a real threat to the life of the mother or child. These medications can have a negative effect on the formation of the fetus. It is impossible to self-medicate.

If passed the disease to a child?

The transmission of HCV from mother to child is the same as in normal infection through microtrauma and blood, so often the baby becomes infected during delivery.

Through the placenta the virus is not transmitted, and intrauterine infection are extremely rare. A cesarean section will help to reduce the risks, so as to shorten the time of contact of the baby with the threat environment. Doctors often recommend this procedure in such cases. Breast-feeding can lead to infection, but only if there is damage to the nipples of the mother or the mucous membrane of the mouth of the baby. In such cases, artificial feeding.

The child, whose mother is ill or infected With hepatitis C tested for the virus immediately after birth. If no contraindications to vaccination no, it is the first day of life and repeated after 30 days. Often children are found or received in the inheritance from the mother antibodies that prevent the virus. But they’re 18 months are considered already as dangerous symptom. There are other signs of hepatitis C in children, for example, excess enzyme that indicates inflammation of the liver, and positive tests for RNA virus.

In General, the risk of hepatitis C for pregnant women and infants are greatly exaggerated. With adequate surveillance and treatment, responsible approach to conception and motherhood are the main threats can be avoided. And finally get rid of doubts will allow counseling.