At the beginning of pregnancy, all women are asked to undergo a blood test for hepatitis B. Women who work in the field of health care or live in disadvantaged places and also live with an infected person must undergo an analysis for hepatitis B.
If the first test for hepatitis B during pregnancy turned out to be positive, the doctor prescribes a second test to confirm the diagnosis.
In the case of a repeated positive result, the expectant mother is sent for examination to a hepatologist. He assesses the condition of the liver and prescribes treatment.
There are 3 types of tests that detect Hepatitis B:
- Hepatitis surface antigen (hbsag) – detects the presence of a virus. If the result is positive, then the virus is present.
- Hepatitis surface antibodies (HBsAb or anti-hbs) – tests the body’s ability to fight the virus. If the test is positive, then your immune system has developed protective antibodies against the hepatitis virus. It protects against infection.
- Hepatitis core antibodies (HBcAb or anti-HBs) – assesses a person’s propensity to be infected. A positive result would indicate that the person is prone to getting hepatitis.
After identifying the diagnosis, all family members must be tested for the presence of the virus.
Hepatitis B treatment during pregnancy
The doctor prescribes treatment for hepatitis B in pregnancy if the test results are too high. The dosage of all drugs prescribed by the doctor. In addition, the future mom is prescribed a diet and bed rest.
The doctor may prescribe treatment even in the third trimester of pregnancy, then it should be continued for 4-12 weeks after delivery.
Do not be nervous if hepatitis B is found in your pregnancy. Follow the doctor and follow the recommendations, then your baby will be healthy.
Hepatitis B is a liver disease that has a viral form. Hepatitis B is transmitted to humans through sexual contact or through contact with infected blood. In most adults, the body can cope with the disease without treatment for several months.
Approximately one in 20 people who become ill remains a carrier of the virus. The reason for this – is not fully completed treatment. The disease turns into a long chronic form. If left untreated, over time this will lead to serious damage to the liver (cirrhosis, liver failure, cancer).
Signs of hepatitis B during pregnancy
- Fatigue;
- Stomach ache;
- Diarrhea;
- Loss of appetite;
- Dark urine;
- Jaundice.
The effect of hepatitis B on the child
Hepatitis B during pregnancy is almost 100% of cases transmitted from mother to baby. Most often this occurs during natural childbirth, the child becomes infected through blood. Therefore, doctors advise expectant mothers to give birth with a caesarean section to protect the baby.
The effects of hepatitis B on pregnancy are serious. The disease can cause premature labor, development of diabetes, bleeding, low birth weight.
If the level of the virus in the blood is high, the treatment will be prescribed during pregnancy, it will protect the child.
To get rid of the newborn from infection will allow vaccination against hepatitis B. The first time it is done at birth, the second – in a month, the third – in a year. After that, the child is tested to make sure that the illness has passed. Next time vaccination is done in five years.
Can an infected woman breastfeed?
Yes. Specialists from the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Center found that women with hepatitis B can breastfeed their children without fear for their health.
The benefit of breastfeeding outweighs the potential risk of infection. In addition, a hepatitis B vaccine is given to the child at birth, which reduces the risk of infection.
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