[Erin_1712]

well this morning I got a call from the social worker and she said before we go any further I should know all of M's medical history. She started out with the basics. Birth weight, gestation, and then went on that his mother was HIV and HepC positive but he tested negative at birth. I was told he was to be tested again at 18 months and I called his doctor and tracked his records down. He was tested again but before the 18 months so even though all of his test came back negative he could still be postive and that scares me. I mean he has been living in my house for 6 days he has been coming here for months and I have fallen in love with him. I would hate to have to decide our fate because of this test. Also he was to be having regular check up with physical therapist because he had some weakness when he was a baby and those were not followed up on. But we only have 5 days to make our decision. Wether we want to be his legal guardians and have him live here or adopt him or have nothing to do with him. Hopefully our luck is with us and comes back negative for everything I am just worried now. I can ask for an extention but what I would really like to do is become his legal guardian right now. Then after all of his tests are done and the results are good adopt him. Don't think I dont want him if he has disabilities the reason not to adopt if he does is that social services will have to pay for all therapy, mediacal expenses and health coverage which could be expensive. And I would like to know everything before it becomes a problem. But the social worker said that once we go to court in a few weeks we have to adopt or be legal guardians and then no more court that is the way it will be or life. But our case is being given to another social worker today and I will have a long chat with her about what we can do. I thought the emotional rollercoaster was over and we had gotten it all in the open. Boy was I wrong.

[Barksum]

(((hugs))) Our Ds was already placed adoptively with us at 15 months when we found out that he needed one more test at 18 months to determine if he was HepC+ or not. We didn't even know that he needed more tests! Yikes. He tested negative at birth, at one year, and again at 18 months, so is considered to be HepC negative. That was scary and so hard! We loved him already, so it wasn't about saying no, but more about "How do we parent a child who is HepC positive, and what would this mean for his health, life expectancy, and what about the other kids in the home...?!" We were a little freaked.

I don't know what to say to help you make a decision. You need to make the decision that you can live with. He may be positive, he may be negative. Talk with the pediatrician and ask what Baby testing positive at 18 months would mean for him and for you. Get info as that is the only way you'll be able to decide and be at peace. If you talk with the dr, talk with the dr who knows Baby's case history and not just about HepC in general since you want information about THIS baby, not babies in general.

(((hugs))) and hang on, because the roller coaster NEVER ENDS. (I have this on good authority from my friends who have adult children, and even those who are grandparents now. )

[mamalove23]

I have a foster son who's mother is HepC+ and the ped. told me that there was only a 4% chance that he would have it. We also had a test done at one month that will not have to be repeated...the Dr had to request it special...and that way we did not have to worry for 18 months.
Danielle

[Erin_1712]

thanks guys i hope it all comes back negative my main concern is the HIV which would not be good but the Hep C is just ironic because I quit a job because I had to work with a special needs lady who had Hep C and could transmit it easily. But i guess we will see. As soon as my mother heard that we still had one more test to make sure about everything she did not touch him or let my little brothers play with/touch him. If anyone would get infected it would be me the primary caregiver that is always touching cleaning and wiping not someone playing cars. But what can you do she was fighting me on everything last night. Even stuff she knows nothing about.

[cherrymom]

We adopted a little girl who was Hep C positive at birth. They repeated the test at 8 months (right before we adopted her) and was still positive. We decided to proceed knowing the risk was low and we felt even if she remained positive (after much research) we would be okay with it. We were told to repeat the test at 18 mnths and that would be conclusive. Well at around that time we were out shopping and she cut her figure well being the mother of many that I am (and none with Hep c) I sucked her figure to make the bleeding stop. Afterwards I had a heart attack realizing what I had done, made an appointment Monday am to have us checked. Good news - we are both fine. But it did make me realize if you are going to adopt a child with a need like that you have to educate yourself (and be smarter than me) Another side is our Ped. said- there is such a low risk of actual transfer from Mother to child and even if they are positive they tend to do very well. BUT it is a risk....

[EZ2Luv]

I work with drug addicts at a methadone clinic, many in fact a good majority are Hep C positive and a good many are HIV positive. I will tell you that it has been my experience for the last 12 years that I have worked this job that if a baby test negative for HCV(Hep C) at birth they usually are negative of the time when retested. Now if a baby tests positive they are retested because Hep C in a newborn can show positive when a mother is positive but it is more of a temporary thing so there is a good chance that even a positive Hep C in a newborn does not mean that baby is positive for sure. That is why they retest.
When a mother is HIV or Hep C positive, extra precautions are taken to minimize the risks of transmission to the baby during delivery.

As far as Hep C itself, it is no longer a death sentance(same with HIV). Though these viruses can be transmitted they are now considered Chronic Illnesses as oppossed to terminal illnesses. The key is education. I wish no baby to have either virus. It is very scary because it it can be transmitted, but only through blood. Not kissing , hugging or saliva. The average person can easily be freaked out when hearing of HCV, but it really takes alot to transmit. You just have to take extra precautions as far as cuts or bleeding go.

Truth be told, in all my years of this work I have not had one baby come back with a positive retest for HCV even if they tested positive at birth. I wish I could say the same about HIV, but sadly there have been a couple of babies that were infected but are still doing wonderful.

My best advice to you is to research and read about HCV just to know what you would be up against and to educate those who are freaking out. Again in all probability if the baby tested negative at birth, the baby is going to retest negative at 18 months old. I have yet to see otherwise.

God Bless,

EZ