LIFESTYLE
If a pregnant woman has hepatitis, how can she protect her child from it? Know from AIIMS doctor
Hepatitis is a viral infection that damages the liver. It can be very dangerous for pregnant women, as it not only affects their health but can also pose a serious risk to the baby growing in the womb.
If a pregnant woman gets infected with hepatitis, how to protect the unborn child from it?I
If a woman gets hepatitis during pregnancy, it can prove to be dangerous for both her and the baby in the womb. Hepatitis is a viral infection that affects the liver. It is of many types, such as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Of these, hepatitis B and C are the most dangerous in pregnancy, because they can be transmitted from mother to child. This can cause serious liver infection to the newborn baby, there is even a risk of liver cancer or cirrhosis in the future. In such a situation, let us know how to prevent it.
According to Healthline , hepatitis is a viral infection that can occur due to many reasons. This includes the use of infected blood or contaminated needles, such as injection with an old needle or unsafe blood transfusion. Also, this infection can spread through unsafe intercourse. Hepatitis A and E are often caused by contaminated food or water, while hepatitis B and C can be transmitted from an infected mother to a child. If the equipment is not properly sterilized during tattooing or piercing, then this can also cause infection.
How to protect the unborn child from hepatitis?
Dr. Rakesh Bagdi of the Pediatric Department at AIIMS Delhi explains that if a pregnant woman has hepatitis B, then to protect the newborn from infection, two injections are given immediately after birth, i.e. within the first 12 hours, one is hepatitis B vaccine and the other is HBIG (hepatitis B immunoglobulin). Both these vaccines together strengthen the child's immunity and reduce the risk of infection to almost zero. After this, the child is given two more doses within 6 months.
If a woman has hepatitis C, there is currently no vaccine available for it, but periodic checkups and monitoring of the baby after birth is necessary. During this time, the method and time of delivery is decided as per the doctor's advice so that the risk of infection in the child is reduced.
Take special care of these things
Get tested for hepatitis at the beginning of pregnancy.
Avoid contaminated food and water and take care of hygiene.
Check the cleanliness of equipment before any injection, medication, tattoo or piercing.
If hepatitis is positive, then get the newborn vaccinated and immunoglobulin on time.
