SHOULD HEPATITIS BE A CONCERN FOR COUPLES?

This article has been professionally reviewed by Dr. Đinh Thị Ngọc Minh –  Hepatology and Gastroenterology.

🗨️ Viral hepatitis is a disease caused by infectious viruses that attack the human liver. Depending on the virus type, it can cause both acute and chronic liver damage, potentially leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer, or even death in cases of acute liver failure. Among them, hepatitis B and C are particularly concerning due to the increasing number of infections and the lack of comprehensive awareness in the community.

📌 During medical consultations, specialists frequently encounter couples who worry when one of them is diagnosed with hepatitis B or C.

Facing such a diagnosis raises many crucial questions, especially for those planning to get married and have children. Misinformation from unreliable sources or unscientific word-of-mouth advice can lead to misunderstandings and negatively impact relationships.

⁉️ So, what are the most common concerns couples have when facing this situation? And is viral hepatitis really as worrisome as people think?

1️⃣ How is hepatitis B and C transmitted?

Hepatitis B and C are primarily transmitted through three main routes:

• Blood: Through direct blood contact, contaminated medical instruments, or shared needles.

• Sexual contact: Unprotected intercourse with an infected person.

• Mother-to-child transmission: The virus can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or after birth through exposure to bodily fluids such as blood or amniotic fluid.

2️⃣ Are there vaccines available for viral hepatitis?

Currently, vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B.

3️⃣ How effective are the vaccines?

• The hepatitis A vaccine is nearly 100% effective.

• The hepatitis B vaccine is more than 95% effective.

• There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C yet.

4️⃣ Can a mother with hepatitis B prevent transmission to her baby?

• Women of childbearing age who plan to start a family should get screened for hepatitis B, C, and other sexually transmitted infections.

• If diagnosed with hepatitis B, a doctor will assess whether treatment is needed. Specific antiviral medications can be used, and during the last trimester of pregnancy, the mother’s viral load will be closely monitored to determine if preventive medication is necessary.

• After birth, the baby should receive two doses of the hepatitis B vaccine and a dose of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) within the first 12 hours to prevent infection.

• If the mother receives proper medical supervision and the baby is vaccinated correctly, the risk of mother-to-child transmission is extremely low—around 4-5%.

5️⃣ Can a mother with hepatitis B breastfeed?

Hepatitis B can only be transmitted through breast milk if the mother has cracked or infected nipples. Some studies show that breast milk contains a small amount of the HBsAg virus, but breastfeeding does not increase the risk of HBV transmission. Therefore, mothers with hepatitis B can still breastfeed normally.

6️⃣ What about hepatitis C?

Currently, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. However, effective treatment is available, with a cure rate of 98-99% within three months if the infection is detected early through regular screening. After successful treatment, the person can no longer transmit the virus.

Conclusion

If couples are concerned about viral hepatitis, they should get screened before marriage or making future plans to receive proper medical advice. With the availability of vaccines and effective treatments today, viral hepatitis no longer needs to be a significant concern for relationships or overall quality of life.