HCV Study

Hepatitis C Virus in Pregnancy

 

HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) is becoming an important public health problem. It is usually passed from person to person via blood sharing in some way. Some people get sick when first infected, but most people are not aware that they have been infected. When your body is first exposed to HCV, it is possible that you fight and clear the infection. It is also possible that you are unable to fight the virus completely, and it will continue to live in your body. If so, then there is a chance you may pass it to your baby during pregnancy.

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It is not usual practice to screen pregnant women for HCV infection. Also, there is no agreement about how to treat pregnant women infected with HCV. At this time, there is not enough evidence that any treatment or intervention prevents passage of HCV from mother to baby.  This research study was set up to identify those women who may have been exposed to HCV, and to follow them closely throughout pregnancy. We hope to identify those women at highest risk of passing HCV to their children.

 

Contact Information: 267-438-2709