Hepatitis B and C Infections
Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Is it safe for a mother infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) to
breastfeed her infant immediately after birth?
Yes. Even before the availability of hepatitis B vaccine, HBV
transmission through breastfeeding was not reported. All infants born to
HBV-infected mothers should receive hepatitis B immune globulin and the
first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. The second
dose of vaccine should be given at aged 1�months, and the third dose
at aged 6 months. The infant should be tested after completion of the
vaccine series, at aged 9� months (generally at the next well-child
visit), to determine if the vaccine worked and the infant is not
infected with HBV through exposure to the mother抯 blood during the
birth process. However, there is no need to delay breastfeeding until
the infant is fully immunized. All mothers who breastfeed should take
good care of their nipples to avoid cracking and bleeding.
For additional information on HBV infection and pregnancy, visit CDC's Viral Hepatitis B Frequently Asked Questions.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Is it safe for a mother infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) to
breastfeed her infant?
Yes. There is no documented evidence that breastfeeding spreads HCV.
Therefore, having HCV-infection is not a contraindication to breastfeed.
HCV is transmitted by infected blood, not by human breast milk. There
are no current data to suggest that HCV is transmitted by human breast
milk.
Is it safe for the HCV-positive mother to breastfeed if her nipples
are cracked and bleeding?
Data are insufficient to say yes or no. However, HCV is spread by infected blood. Therefore, if the HCV-positive
mother's nipples and/or surrounding areola are cracked and bleeding, she
should stop nursing temporarily. Instead, she should consider expressing
and discarding her breast milk until her nipples are healed. Once her
breasts are no longer cracked or bleeding, the HCV-positive mother may
fully resume breastfeeding.
Reference: CDC. Recommendations for prevention and control of Hepatitis
C virus (HCV) infection and HCV-related chronic disease.
MMWR,
October 16, 1998, 47(RR-19):1–39.
For additional information on HCV infection and pregnancy, visit CDC's Viral Hepatitis C Frequently Asked Questions.
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Page last updated: May 22, 2007
Content Source: Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion