Home | Infectious Diseases
Your question is not as easy a question to answer as it may appear. Hepatitis C is a virus which before we used to screen blood for it, was predominantly spread through blood transfusion. Someone who has hepatitis c can spread it sexually and it has been shown to be spread to family members (although this incidence is very low). However having antibodies does not mean that you have hepatitis C virus in you currently, it could mean that you had it in the past and have already killed it. To know if someone is still potentially infectious you need to do a PCR test to look for the virus itself. It is also possible that the mom had hepatitis C and merely passed on her antibodies to an infant without passing on the virus itself. PCR tells us if the child could pose a risk and that is the test you need to search out. I hope this has been helpful. Written by James Reilly M.D. * Note: The information and advice provided is intended to be general information, NOT as advice on how to deal with a particular child's situation and or problem. If your child has a specific problem you need to ask your pediatrician about it -- only after a careful history and physical exam can a medical diagnosis and/or treatment plan be made. This website does not constitute a physician patient relationship
Article Source: http://www.adoptiondoctors.com/articles
Adoptiondoctors.com is an innovative International Adoption Private Practice dedicated to helping parents and adoption agencies with the complex pre-adoption medical issues of internationally adopted children. We are the GO TO place for your Adoption related medical questions. All medical interactions are performed via, e-mail, express mail, telephone and fax. There is no need to make a live appointment or travel outside of you hometown. Blind referral and support services now available during your trip. Never feel like you are abandoned while you are overseas. Adoptiondoctors.com is just a computer click away. Post-Adoption general care can be performed by our International Adoption Medicine Physicians, Dr. George Rogu or Dr. James Reilly in their Adoption friendly, Private Medical Clinic in Commack, New York. For more info: visit Adoptiondoctors.com or call them at 631-499-4114. To sign up for our monthly International Adoption Medical Newsletter Click Here!!!
