Don't let these common myths stop you from getting the most out of your life and relationships!
Hepatitis C and B are not transmitted through breast milk.
However, if you have cracked nipples then some blood may escape, and if baby has a small cut in the mouth, blood-to-bloodstream contact is possible, allowing the transmission of hepatitis.
If cracks occur in a nipple, feed from the other breast. Express milk and discard it until the graze or cracks have healed. This will ensure continued milk production from the affected breast.
For more information: http://bit.ly/pregbirthbeyond.
Hepatitis C is not a sexually transmitted infection.
While hepatitis B is a sexually transmitted infection, it is also transmitted via blood to bloodstream contact. Most people who have chronic hepatitis B got it from their mothers during birth when hepatitis B vaccinations and hepatitis B Immunoglobulin were unavailable.
Having hepatitis is no indicator of a person's sexual behaviour one way or the other.
Hepatitis C is transmitted only by blood-to-bloodstream contact. Hepatitis B is transmitted by blood and sexual fluids. Neither is transmitted by sharing toilets.
Hepatitis A is transmitted via faecal-oral route but unless you plan on licking the toilet seat, or don’t wash your hands after toileting and before handling food, it is unlikely that you will get hepatitis A from sharing toilet seats.
Hepatitis B and C virus can only infect humans and higher primates. Your pet dog, cat, budgie or goldfish will not get hepatitis B or C from you or your human friends.
You may get hepatitis A from food prepared by someone with the disease but only if he/she was unhygienic, i.e. didn’t wash their hands properly with soap after toileting and before food preparation.
Hepatitis B and C are not transmitted by casual contact.
