Don't let these common myths stop you from getting the most out of your life and relationships!
Risk of transmission from mother to baby is different for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. But having either of these conditions is no reason for not having children or terminating a pregnancy.
Overall, the risk of mother to baby transmission of hepatitis C during birth is very low. Discuss your case with your doctor. For more information see http://bit.ly/pregbirthbeyond.
There is a risk of transmitting hepatitis B from mother to infant during the birthing process. However, most transmissions to baby can be avoided by giving baby hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and the first shot of hepatitis B vaccine at birth. For more information see http://bit.ly/hbvmomstobe_eng. Discuss your situation with your specialist.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are not transmitted through sweat. So go ahead and enjoy your workout.
However, it is wise to be blood safe at the gym and not share articles which might have come into contact with blood, such as boxing gloves.
Go ahead and hug them.
You can’t get hepatitis from hugging, shaking hands, back slapping, high fives or other casual contacts that make life more enjoyable.
All sports should play the Blood Rule which says that where bleeding occurs during sports, all play must stop, first aid provided, cuts and grazes covered, and equipment or grounds cleaned up before game resumes. For more information, see http://bit.ly/bloodrules and keep that top player in your team.
Hepatitis C is not a sexually transmitted infection.
While hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted infection, it is also transmitted via blood to bloodstream contact. Most people who have chronic hepatitis B got it from their mothers during birth when hepatitis B vaccinations and hepatitis B Immunoglobulin were unavailable.
Having hepatitis is no indicator of a person's sexual behaviour one way or the other.
