Hepatitis C Virus - Total antibody reflex HCV-RNA qualitative Tips

According to the reports of the World Health Organization, approximately 325 million people worldwide are living with viral hepatitis. Many of them are passing on the infection to others unknowingly. Looking at the staggering numbers of people contracting hepatitis C every year, it has become a major public health concern for all health organizations.

There are several misinformation and false beliefs about the virus, which make seeking treatment all the more challenging for the people. World Hepatitis Day, observed on July 28 each year, aims to raise awareness and educate people about the disease and its treatment. Here are a few important facts about hepatitis C that you must know about

People having hepatitis C can still live a healthy and long life

A major concern for patients recently diagnosed with the type C virus is the outlook. The HCV or hepatitis C virus was discovered first in the late 1980s and there have been significant advances in treatment ever since. Currently, nearly 25% of all infected people are able to recover from acute hepatitis C without any complications. Moreover, several modern treatment options in the form of medications and pills have made it less painful than the older methods.

There are multiple ways that a person can be exposed to the virus

The most common belief is that people using drug injections are likely to contract hepatitis C. While most people with a history of intravenous drug use are diagnosed with the viral infection, there are several other ways that a person may be exposed to the virus. For example, baby boomers i.e. people born between the years 1945 and 1965, are at the highest risk of getting hepatitis C. This is simply because these people were born before protocols for appropriate blood screening were mandated. Anyone born between this period should undergo tests for the type C virus. Besides, HIV+ patients and people undergoing haemodialysis or those who have had an organ transplant or blood transfusion before 1992, are also at risk of having hepatitis C.

You are less likely to have liver cancer or a transplant

Many people living with hepatitis C believe that a liver transplant or liver cancer is an inevitability of the disease but that is not the case. Out of a hundred people diagnosed with HCV, only about 5 to 20 people without treatment will develop liver cirrhosis. Only a few among these people may have to consider a transplant. Furthermore, antiviral medications can effectively lower the possibility of having cirrhosis or liver cancer.

An asymptotic person can still transmit the virus

An estimated 80% of people with acute HCV do not show symptoms. Chronic HCV does not exhibit symptoms until complications like liver cirrhosis develop. Therefore, one must take precautions regardless of how they feel physically. Hepatitis C virus is rarely transmitted sexually. Nevertheless, it is always advisable to practice safety measures during sex. The chances of transmission through toothbrushes or razors are relatively low, but one should avoid sharing these tools for safety.

There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C

Unlike for HBV and HAV, there is no vaccine against HCV currently. However, with medical advancements, safe and effective vaccination is likely to be available in the future.

In case you are diagnosed with the type C virus or think you might have been exposed to the virus, consult a doctor immediately. He/she can tell you more about the symptoms and treatment of the disease and address your questions precisely. Additionally, read up on hepatitis C from reliable sources to help yourself and others distinguish between the myths and facts.

Namaskar,

Maine Dr. Piyush Ranjan, Delhi mein consultant hoon gastroenterology mein.

Aaj main aap se liver ki ek kafi common condition chronic hepatitis B aur hepatitis C ke baare main kuch jankari share karunga. Hepatitis B aur hepatitis C ye virus hote hai jinka sankraman hone par jinke infection se liver mein ek tarha ka permanent damage shuru ho sakta hai, shuruaat ke stage mein chronic hepatitis jiska arth hai liver mein inflammation hona wo hota hai aur agar ye untreated chalti rahe to isse liver cirrhosis ho sakta hai ya liver ke andar cancer ho sakta hai ya liver tumor ban sakta hai. Hepatitis aur B hepatitis C ke failne ka karan agar ham dekhen to kuch cheezen inme common hoti hain ye cheezen infected blood transfusion, unprotected sexual contact, intravenous injections yani jo log intravenous drug abuse karte hain unme iski infection kafi jyada dekhi jati hai.

Hepatitis B iske alava maa se bacchon mein aane wali yani ki vertical transmission ya janmjaat kai bar aati hai. Hepatitis B ke liye sabse achcha tarika hai hepatitis B ka prevention hai, vaccination hai. Aaj hamare desh mein janm ke samay hi sabko hepatitis B ke tiike lagaye jaate hain, agar future mein aapne pehle nahi lagaye hain to inko lagana chahiye ye kafi karygar tarika hai aur yadi aapko hepatitis-B sankraman paya jata hai to fir iske liye iske aage tests ki jarurat hai. Har hepatitis B infected patient ko koi treatment ki jarurat pade aisa nahin hota hai uske liye tests hote hain jinke aadhar per virus kitne number mein sharir mein hai aur liver ki kya condition hai iske basis per ye decide karte hain ki iski treatment ki jarurat hai ya nahi hai aur ismein regular follow-up ki jarurat hoti hai aur agar jarurat ho to iske liye kaafi karygar goliyan hain jo ki isko control kar sakti hain.

Isi tarah se hepatitis C jo infection hota hai iske liye jo hai ye ek science mein bohot hi important development pichle 5 saalon mein jo infection kafi mahange injections ke sath bhi nearly 50 to 60 percent success rate tha aaj iski goliyan hoti hai ye duniya ke baaki deshon se agar compare karen to kafi kam cost mein India mein milti hain aur inka success rate nearly 95 to 100% hota hai.

To agar aapke liver function test mein koi kharabi najar aati hai ya aapko past mein kabhi jaundice hua hai ya aapke ghar mein koi hepatitis B or C se pidit hai to apna bhi blood hepatitis B aur C ke liye test karayen aur agar ye infection aata hai to aap mujhse ya kisi bhi reputed doctor se gastroenterologist se sampark karen taki iska ilaaj karke liver ko future mein aur kharab hone se roka ja sake.

Dhanyvad.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver which may often progress to dangerous complications. There are many types of hepatitis and each has its own particular set of causes, symptoms, mode of contraction and treatment procedures. Here are the main types of hepatitis as well as some of the factors which may cause hepatitis:

Types -

1. Hepatitis A -
Hepatitis A virus infection causes this condition. The Hepatitis A virus comes from food or water contaminated with the feces of someone contaminated with hepatitis A. This is not a chronic form of hepatitis.

2. Hepatitis B -
This is a chronic form of hepatitis. It is spread through body fluid such as blood, saliva and semen. The possible causes of hepatitis B include injection drug use, having sex with an infected partner and sharing razors or other intimate articles with someone who is infected.

3. Hepatitis C -
This is also a chronic form of hepatitis. The most common causes of hepatitis C are injection drug use or having sex.

4. Hepatitis D -
This is not a chronic form of hepatitis and is also very uncommon. It is usually contracted along with hepatitis B. It is usually caused due to puncture wounds or contact with infected blood.

5. Hepatitis E -
This is the most uncommon form of hepatitis. It is due to poor sanitation and ingesting fecal matter. It is usually found in developing countries.

Causes

1. Virus -
This is the usual way of contracting hepatitis. The virus attacks the liver and causes inflammation leading to the breakdown of a number of body systems.

2. Alcohol and other toxins -
Alcohol and certain prescribed medications cause the liver to swell and that is why this form of hepatitis is known as alcoholic hepatitis.

3. Autoimmune disease -
This is the rarest cause of hepatitis. The immune system malfunctions and begins destroying its own tissues. It attacks the liver because it perceives the liver to be a foreign object.

How do you safeguard yourself against infection from these three dangerous hepatitis viruses?

The most common cause of concern is that a lot of us who are infected with hepatitis, especially hepatitis B don t know that we are. The biggest bulwark against hepatitis is periodic testing and vaccination. Vaccination is available for most hepatitis viruses including A and B, which tend to be extra virulent.

So, do take care and go for periodic testing. We are reiterating this because if you are infected with hepatitis B and are not treated you can develop serious problems of the liver, including liver cancer. In fact, nearly 1 in 4 people living with hepatitis B develop serious liver problems including liver cancer. Hepatitis B related liver cancer is a leading cause of fatality and getting tested for hepatitis can help you access life-saving treatments that can prevent serious liver damage.

Other ways to prevent hepatitis are -
Hepatitis A -

Wash your hands with soap after using the toilet
Only consume freshly-cooked food
Only drink bottled or boiled water
Only eat fruits that can be peeled. Don t eat fruit that has been cut and kept
Avoid eating raw vegetables
Vaccinate yourself against hepatitis A if you travel a lot.
Hepatitis B -

Practice safe sex by using condoms
Only use new syringes for injections
Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or manicure instruments with others
Vaccinate yourself against hepatitis B
Take care while getting tattooed. Only use brand new tattoo needles. Also, ask for new needles during acupuncture treatments.
Hepatitis C -

Avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors, and manicure equipment
Cover open wounds if you are infected
Don t share needles. Always ask for fresh needles.
Use only well-sterilized equipment for acupuncture, piercing, and tattooing, etc.
Cut down on alcohol
Do not share drug needles

The liver plays a significant role in the body s various metabolic processes. Infection with hepatitis C virus causes inflammation of the liver, known popularly as Hepatitis C. It is a relatively new discovery (late 1980s), but there are a significant number of cases identified. The challenge in identifying this disease is that the patient does not manifest with any symptoms and can be carrying the virus for years with no signs or symptoms. This makes diagnosis very difficult and in most cases, it is discovered when diagnosing for some other disease. It is transmitted via blood through use of drug needles, tattoo needles, or sexual when the virus is present in the vaginal fluid.

Homeopathic Treatment For Hepatitis C -

Homeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homeopathy is not only to treat Hepatitis C infection but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several well-proved medicines are available for Hepatitis C treatment that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensation and modalities of the complaints. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homeopathic doctor in person.

Homeopathy offers remedy for hepatitis C by detoxifying and neutralizing viral cells, improving immunity, and stimulating production of healthy cells. The following compounds are useful in this.

Chelidonium Majus: Prepared from the flowers of Celandine, it acts on the hepatobiliary system and restores overall liver function. The patient s presenting symptoms include jaundice with pain, bloated abdomen, significant lethargy, weakness, reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting.

China Officinalis: This is useful in patients who are down with intermittent fevers, headaches, gallstones, dyspepsia and hemorrhages. The patient could also have debility, trembling, ringing in the ears, flatulence in the abdomen, gassy feeling and vomiting of bile.

Bryonia Alba: This is prepared from the plant known as wild hops after potentization. It works on multiple systems including the digestive, hepatobiliary, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems. This is useful in patients who suffer from dyspepsia, migraine, bronchitis, joint pains, back pain, menstrual issues, and respiratory tract infections. The patient could also experience a burning sensation and soreness in the abdomen, which is extremely tender to the touch, along with nausea and vomiting. The symptoms are aggravated during summer months and with heat.

Kali Carbonicum: The active ingredient acts of multiple bodily systems including kidneys, liver, digestive, blood, bones, lungs, etc. It is widely used in liver dysfunctions like nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, and hepatitis C. The patient may have liver atrophy, cirrhosis, heaviness in the abdomen or jaundice. He or she could be restless, excitable and nervous. Extreme weakness and reaction to changes in light, sound, touch and odors are some other symptoms. The pain could be relieved by rubbing.

Other medicines like Lycopodium, Belladonna, Nux Vomica, and Aconite are also useful. However, as with all homeopathy medicines, self-medication is not advisable. The doctor will check for all accompanying symptoms and your overall health status and then determine what would work for you.

Hepatitis C is one of the five forms of hepatitis infection that is known to afflict the liver. Hepatitis C is one of these infections and is caused by the Hepatitis C virus, also known as HCV. It spreads through the blood of the individual who has been already affected by the disease. The infection can be mild in nature lasting for a few weeks, or severe that causes a lifelong disease. When the infection turns chronic, it can lead to liver cirrhosis.

Hepatitis C is diagnosed through a blood test and though the symptoms are not very clear, the infected individual may experience fever, dark urine, abdominal pain, swelling in the legs, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, decreased appetite, nausea, and muscle or joint pain. As of now, there is no vaccine available to counter hepatitis C but research is underway in this direction. There are allopathic medicines to fight the infection but Ayurvedic remedies are preferred by a good number of people as they do not lead to any side effects and are known to give desirable results in time. So, here are some effective remedies to treat the infection.

Panchakarma: Panchakarma, the holistic Ayurvedic detox remedy, is very helpful in curing the inflammation of the liver and it eliminates the pitta dosha, considered to be responsible for causing the infection. It involves five steps and in the first step Abhyanga, the body is given a massage with warm herbal oils. It is followed by Shirodhara, Garshana, Swedana, and Pizichili. In the subsequent steps, medicated oil is poured over the forehead and then the body is rubbed with silk gloves or wool. Later, it is given a steam bath and then a combination of massage and oil pouring is administered.
Andrographis paniculata: Also known as Kalmegh, this herb is a prized liver tonic that is known to carry anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It relaxes the inflamed intestines and gives relief in abdominal pain and fluid accumulation.
Boerhavia diffusa: Also known as Punarnava, this herb is very effective in controlling the swelling and fluid retention in the abdomen. It possesses anti-inflammatory action and diuretic properties which relax the liver walls and also flushes out toxins from the body by increasing the flow of urine.
Phyllanthus niruri: Also known as Bhumi Amla, this fruit is very effective in fighting infections of the liver and has the potential to treat all forms of liver diseases. It also carries analgesic, anti-bacterial, and anti-spasmodic properties. It cures the inflammation of the liver and also rectifies the pitta imbalance, which is the primary cause of liver problems as per Ayurveda.
These Ayurvedic remedies are a reliable and rich treatment method and can cure the liver infection from the root. The herbal medicines can be taken in any form and they work in all stages of hepatitis C but it is always advised to consult a credible Ayurveda practitioner before going for any of these remedies. A thorough diagnosis is a must before prescription of appropriate remedies and treats the infection.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver, which may often progress to dangerous complications. There are many types of Hepatitis and each has its own particular set of causes, symptoms, mode of contraction and treatment procedures. Here are the main types of Hepatitis as well as some of the factors which may cause Hepatitis:

Types



Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A virus infection causes this condition. The Hepatitis A virus comes from food or water contaminated with the feces of someone contaminated with Hepatitis A. This is not a chronic form of Hepatitis.
Hepatitis B: This is a chronic form of Hepatitis. It is spread through body fluid, such as blood, saliva and semen. The possible causes of Hepatitis B include use of drugs through injections, having sex with an infected partner and sharing razors or other intimate articles with someone who is infected.
Hepatitis C: This is also a chronic form of Hepatitis.The most common causes of Hepatitis C are injection drug use or having sex.
Hepatitis D: This is a not a chronic form of Hepatitis and is also very uncommon. It is usually contracted along with Hepatitis B. It is usually caused due to puncture wounds or contact with infected blood.
Hepatitis E: This is the most uncommon form of Hepatitis. It is due to poor sanitation and ingesting fecal matter. It is usually found in developing countries.
Causes

Virus: This is the usual way of contracting Hepatitis. The virus attacks the liver and causes inflammation leading to the breakdown of a number of body systems.
Alcohol and other toxins: Alcohol and certain prescribed medications cause the liver to swell and that is why this form of Hepatitis is known as alcoholic Hepatitis.
Autoimmune disease: This is the rarest cause of Hepatitis. The immune system malfunctions and begins destroying its own tissues. It attacks the liver because it perceives the liver to be a foreign object.

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and it can spread from one person to another through infected blood. In the initial stages, the symptoms of the disease are very mild and therefore, the infection goes undetected most of the time but when the symptoms turn serious, they need to be treated as turning a blind eye could prove dangerous. It can lead to liver cirrhosis and even liver failure. So, specific symptoms such as dark urine, fever, weight loss, fatigue, and pain in the abdomen should not be ignored and one must go for diagnosis. If hepatitis C is detected, the treatment should be started immediately and if one takes recourse to Ayurveda, then he or she can be sure of a side-effects free treatment.

Ayurvedic medicines help balance pitta
Ayurveda supposes that any liver disease or liver infection is caused by pitta vitiation because this life energy governs the liver. It is believed that when pitta becomes aggravated, it affects the functioning of the liver. The liver becomes inflamed and is unable to remove the poisonous substances from the body, leading to a buildup of toxins. So, Ayurveda deals with the aggravated pitta at first. It prescribes medicines and foods that calm the pitta. For example, medicines such as katuki, kalmegha, haritaki, and guduchi eliminate the excess pitta from the body. The Ayurvedic therapies such as abhyanga and panda sveda also aim at removing the pitta and toxins from the body.

Ayurveda heals the liver
In hepatitis C, the liver is affected by the infection. It undergoes swelling and scarring. So, the Ayurvedic medicines try to repair this damage done to the liver walls. The herbal medicines prescribed by the Ayurvedic doctor such as punarnava and bhumi amla have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that relax the inflamed liver walls. They also repair the damaged tissues and restore the liver to its normal state. Light food items such as oats, barley, and fruits get digested easily and do not put strain any strain on the liver. They are highly conducive to the recuperating body and during the treatment procedure, enhance the efficacy of the medicines

Ayurvedic treatment boosts immunity
Hepatitis C, being an infectious disease, directly impacts the immune system of the body. So, Ayurvedic treatment also focuses on strengthening the immunity of the patient. An easily digestible diet and medicines such as turmeric, bhringaraj, and bhumyalaki work at restoring immunity. The therapies also give the immunity a boost and when this happens, the body can fight the infection more effectively.

So, Ayurveda uses a multi-pronged treatment strategy for hepatitis C, which proves helpful in treating the infection from the roots. It works at different levels because the motive is to provide permanent relief and not temporary comfort. This is why, diet restrictions, lifestyle regulation, and abstinence are given so much importance. Ayurveda is a holistic science that cures any disease by dealing with all the problem areas. This is why, in case of hepatitis C, the patient not just gets relief from the symptoms but their liver also recovers to its original healthy state.

The liver plays a significant role in the body s various metabolic processes. Infection with hepatitis C virus causes inflammation of the liver, known popularly as Hepatitis C. It is a relatively new discovery ( 1980s), but there are a significant number of cases identified. The challenge in identifying this disease is that the patient does not manifest with any symptoms and can be carrying the virus for years with no signs or symptoms.
This makes diagnosis very difficult and in most cases, it is discovered when diagnosing for some other disease. It is transmitted via blood through of drug needles, tattoo needles or sexual activities when the virus is present in the vaginal fluid.
Treatment For Hepatitis C -
is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of is not only to treat Hepatitis C infection but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several well-proved medicines are available for Hepatitis C treatment that can be selected on the basis of cause, sensation and modalities of the complaints. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified doctor in person.
offers for hepatitis C by detoxifying and neutralizing viral cells, improving immunity, and stimulating of healthy cells. The following compounds are useful in this.
1. Chelidonium Majus: Prepared from the flowers of Celandine, it acts on the hepatobiliary system and restores overall liver function. The patient s presenting symptoms include jaundice with pain, bloated abdomen, significant lethargy, weakness, reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting.
2. China Officinalis: This is useful in patients who are down with intermittent fevers, headaches, gallstones, dyspepsia and . The patient could also have debility, trembling, ringing in the ears, flatulence in the abdomen, gassy feeling and vomiting of bile.
3. Bryonia Alba: This is prepared from the plant known as wild hops after potentization. It works on multiple systems including the digestive, hepatobiliary, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems. This is useful in patients who suffer from dyspepsia, migraine, bronchitis, joint pains, back pain, menstrual issues, and respiratory tract infections. The patient could also experience a burning sensation and soreness in the abdomen, which is extremely tender to the touch, along with nausea and vomiting. The symptoms are aggravated during summer months and with heat.
4. Kali Carbonicum: The active ingredient acts of multiple bodily systems including kidneys, liver, digestive, blood, bones, lungs, etc. It is widely used in liver dysfunctions like nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, and hepatitis C. The patient may have liver atrophy, cirrhosis, heaviness in the abdomen or jaundice. He or she could be restless, excitable and nervous. Extreme weakness and reaction to changes in light, sound, touch and are some other symptoms. The pain could be relieved by rubbing.
Other medicines like Lycopodium, Belladonna, Nux Vomica, and Aconite are also useful. However, as with all medicines, self-medication is not advisable. The doctor will check for all accompanying symptoms and your overall health status and then determine what would work for you.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver which may often progress to dangerous complications. There are many types of hepatitis and each has its own particular set of causes, symptoms, mode of contraction and treatment procedures.

Here are the main types of hepatitis as well as some of the factors which may cause hepatitis:

Types

Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A virus infection causes this condition. The Hepatitis A virus comes from food or water contaminated with the feces of someone contaminated with hepatitis A. This is not a chronic form of hepatitis.
Hepatitis B: This is a chronic form of hepatitis. It is spread through body fluid such as blood, saliva. The possible causes of hepatitis B include injection medicine use, having interactions with an infected partner and sharing razors or other intimate articles with someone who is infected.
Hepatitis C: This is also a chronic form of hepatitis .The most common causes of hepatitis C are injection medicine use or having interactions.
Hepatitis D: This is a not a chronic form of hepatitis and is also very uncommon. It is usually contracted along with hepatitis B. It is usually caused due to puncture wounds or contact with infected blood.
Hepatitis E: This is the most uncommon form of hepatitis. It is due to poor sanitation and ingesting fecal matter. It is usually found in developing countries.
Causes

Virus: This is the usual way of contracting hepatitis. The virus attacks the liver and causes inflammation leading to the breakdown of a number of body systems.
Alcohol and other toxins: Alcohol and certain prescribed medications cause the liver to swell and that is why this form of hepatitis is known as alcoholic hepatitis.
Autoimmune disease: This is the rarest cause of hepatitis. The immune system malfunctions and begins destroying its own tissues. It attacks the liver because it perceives the liver to be a foreign object.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Hepatitis C is a Viral Infection That is Little Talked About, But Can Be As Dangerous As Hepatitis B

Most people have head or what became in the 1980s and '90s the dreaded AIDS virus. With time and the availability of medicines, it ceased to be a killer. However, the knowledge of it helped stem its spread. Most people, unfortunately, don't realize that hepatitis C is also a killer, simply because not much has been said about it. In fact, it is also a virus, but is 10 times more infectious than HIV.

Hepatitis C is transmitted through the blood, and is usually passed on to women through infected needles and sex. At-home glucometers are often shared, or sometimes a woman's own lifestyle or her partner's lifestyle before marriage may put her at risk, because the virus can stay in the blood for years. It is also transmitted through blood products, like in the case of a transfusion, though in the case of pregnant women, this is not so common.

The dangers
The virus affects 1 in every 100 people in India, while globally 180 million are infected with it. Sometimes, it may just pass through the body, like many other viruses do, but sometimes, it can remain. If detected quickly, within six months or so, cure rates are high. the problem is that it is often not easy to detect, as symptoms resemble those of a regular seasonal viral infection: fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite. If it remains in the body, becoming chronic, then it may progress to liver disease. But the hepatitis C virus (HCV) doesn't have to be a killer. You can conquer it with these moves.

What you should do before
A number of couples who come to me have planned pregnancies-they opt for a baby, rather than the baby just 'happening' to them. This not only helps family planning, but it also helps us rule out infections or treat them if present. Usually, in the first trimester, your gynecologist will ask you to do a simple blood test for HIV, hepatitis B and C. In the case of a planned pregnancy, visit your doctor beforehand and ask if you need to take these tests before you conceive. However, there is no vaccine for HCV yet.

What you should do after
If a woman find out in the first trimester that she is hepatitis C positive, there's nothing much that can be done, as anti-viral medications cause birth defects, so a mother can only be put on them after delivery. She is advised to continue the pregnancy. A baby's chance of acquiring the infection in utero is between 5 and 7%. While this is not high, parents may like to avoid the risk. However, co-infection with HIV (if the mother is HIV positive) pushes the risk up to 19.4%. The pregnancy itself will not be hampered by the HCV infection. Nor does the risk of transmission to the child have anything to do with the mode of delivery-either vaginal or C-section. In India, there is little data on HCV transmission from mother to child. However, once the baby is born, the pediatrician may not do an immediate test to check for the virus, as it generally clears out from the baby's system in a year or so. Testing may only be done at 18 months.