MYTH: People who have hepatitis should not breastfeed their infants. They can pass it on to their babies that way.

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.

MYTH: My child’s best friend has hepatitis B. To protect my child, sadly, I have to limit their contact or watch over them all the time. And no sleep-overs.

Most children in Australia have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. The vaccine is safe and effective. If you are not sure whether your child has been vaccinated, talk to your doctor.

Make sure your child is vaccinated and let them play, fight, sleep-over...

MYTH: People with hepatitis might pass it on to your pets.

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.

MYTH: Don't play contact sports with people who have hepatitis. You can catch it from them.

All sports should play the Blood Rule which says that where bleeding occurs during sports, all play must stop, first aid provided, cuts and grazes covered, and equipment or grounds cleaned up before game resumes. For more information, see http://bit.ly/bloodrules and keep that top player in your team.

MYTH: Don’t share clothes with people who have hepatitis or sit or sleep where they have been. You might get infected.

Hepatitis B and C are not transmitted through casual contact, sneezing, coughing or breathing the same air.

Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood-to-bloodstream contact and sexual contact.

Hepatitis C is transmitted only through blood-to-bloodstream contact.

The blood and/or sexual fluid have to get into your body for transmission to occur.