How do children contract hepatitis C?
HCV can infect children in a variety of ways. Their age determines the most likely route of transmission.
Vertical transmission, or from parent to infant, is the most common route of HCV infection in babies. This can happen in the womb or during birth when there is contact with mother blood. 60% of children with HCV get it from this source.
Around 5% of pregnant women with HCV will pass the virus to their unborn child. People who have both HCV and HIV are four times more likely to transfer HCV to a fetus.
Older toddlers and teenagers who have never had HCV can develop the virus in the same way as adults do. This can happen if you are exposed to virus-infected blood.
Among the behaviors that raise the risk of HCV transmission are:
tattoos and piercings using non-sterile needles intravenous drug use or sharing needles with others
Although sexual transmission is uncommon, sexual activity that results in blood exposure.
The signs and symptoms of an acute HCV infection
Acute HCV infection symptoms may include the following.
fever, exhaustion, and stomach pain
jaundice
sindigestion
The majority of HCV infections in children are chronic. A chronic HCV infection in children is one that lasts more than two years.
Diagnosis
HCV is diagnosed using one of two assays. The first step is to perform an antibody test. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to combat viruses. If anti-HCV antibodies are found in the blood, it means the person had HCV at some point in their life.
A PCR test, which determines the concentration of the virus itself in the blood, is the second HCV test. This determines whether or not someone is infected.
Treatment and monitoring
Doctors often do not treat HCV in children under the age of three. Until then, a doctor who is familiar with pediatric HCV infections should examine the child's health on a frequent basis to follow the virus's impact.
Children with HCV may spontaneously eliminate the virus before the age of three. This occurs in approximately 25-40% of Trusted Source occurrences. If this occurs, the youngster will not need treatment.
Doctors can provide direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications to children who require treatment. It is critical to treat chronic HCV as soon as possible in order to reduce the risk of liver damage and consequences later in life.
Conclusion
If a child has had HCV since birth, hepatitis C in youngsters can be milder than in adults. Doctors normally test for HCV when a newborn is at least 18 months old, and treatment can begin as early as 3 years old.
HCV is uncommon in children and teenagers, however high-risk behaviors might lead to HCV infection through blood contact. Early treatment can halt disease progression and reduce the risk of future problems.
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