Mothers with hepatitis B are advised not to directly breastfeed their infants.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Hepatitis can also infect children. For example, hepatitis B virus infection can be passed from mother to baby during delivery.
“Suffering mother hepatitis B o C will usually give birth spontaneously Caesar to avoid injury during childbirth,” internal medicine specialist Hendra Nurjadin said in an online hepatitis discussion in Jakarta on Monday (12/19/2022).
Both of these hepatitis viruses are transmitted through the blood of the sufferers. During pregnancy the fetus is not infected because it is protected by the placenta and placenta which have filters.
“During delivery, it may not be maintained, the delivery process may be damaged, so as a result, all mothers who have hepatitis B will be born vaginally.” Caesar‘said Gastro Entero Hepatology Consultant at Mayapada Hospital, Tangerang.
Once the baby is born, it will be given antiviral B. This is done by giving the hepatitis B vaccine.
“Active immunization, we deliver antibodies,” said Dr. Hendra.
Can mothers who have hepatitis B or C breastfeed? Dr Hendra explained that the hepatitis virus does not enter breast milk.
However, mothers are advised not to breastfeed their babies directly because they fear that lesions may occur during the breastfeeding process that could infect the baby. Usually, the pediatrician will ask the mother to pump breast milk (ASI). Giving can be with a spoon or a pacifier.
Furthermore, the transmission of hepatitis B and C through blood can also occur due to the use of personal tools that allow bleeding. Examples are razors being used together and injecting drugs into illegal drug users.
“If the person is infected by blood, that includes injection drug use or people who use drugs and exchange needles, use tools that can cause bleeding, for example razors and so on,” said Dr. Hendra.
Risky behavior, such as getting a tattoo in a dirty place, ear piercings, or improperly maintained sexual activity is also a risk factor transmission of hepatitis B and C through blood. Then it is necessary to use personal tools that allow bleeding to occur separately for each individual
“Hepatitis B and C come from the blood, a small percentage will develop further to become chronic and can last for years and cause liver damage that will eventually lead to cirrhosis or complications leading to liver cancer,” said Dr. . Hendra.
source: Between
