this hurts my heart. a young child. I will pray for this sweet soul to have great care & overcome..
Tig said
Jun 14, 2014
Emily,
You know, there are always negatives you have to deal with and this situation is no different. But I see many good things, some you may have overlooked or not have been aware of. The one very good thing I see right away is in you. That little girl has a wonderful foster mom and it seems apparent to me that you have her very best at heart. I know it's terrible that she has to go through this, but her age is really going for her. If you have had a chance to read over that website, you'll see that the virus can be defeated by her own immune system during her first two to three years of life. We can always hope that happens! The body has a powerful immune system at her age, so lets hope some luck flows her way in this instance! Regardless, the likelihood of damage is very minimal at best anyway, so I wouldn't worry about the possibility of harm anytime soon. Many of us had this virus for decades and have beat the disease and life is good! The next thing is, as Isis mentioned, she can be monitored very closely, regardless of where she goes, if custody changes. But the current treatment protocols, if the doctors feel it's something they recommend at her age, is very short. The new drug treatments last 12 to 24 weeks and the newest drugs in the pipeline are relatively side effect free and are all oral, no shots required anymore. The traumatic experiences some people had with treatments of old are gone. So if and when she needs to consider that, it will be far, far easier than you're imagining and they're improving all the time! Chin up Emily, things will be fine
Tig
Isiscat2011 said
Jun 14, 2014
This really is a sad situation. The hepc can be monitored and treated but this child has so much else working against her. What a crappy hand she was dealt. My heart goes out to her and to you as well.
ezsrivers said
Jun 14, 2014
Thank you for the responses Keep them coming! I'm still adjusting. My husband seems much more at ease, but that difference is simply our personalities, I suppose! I am worried for her, but also simply frustrated that her parents' choices brought this on her (I care about them, too, and her mom's sense of guilt is powerful--dad doesn't know as we can't find him right now). I'm more worried about her long term care as it's not 100% certain that she will live with us permanently. This just ups the stakes for upcoming decisions that I have little control over.
Tig said
Jun 14, 2014
Hi Emily,
I'd like to welcome you to the forum and tell you I'm sorry to hear about your little one. However, the diagnosis doesn't have to be one that overly frightens you. There have been great improvements in treatments, especially this past year. Instead of quoting everything in this article, I'll send you the link and recommend you read it. It will provide you with some excellent information and if you have any questions afterwards, please contact us here and we'll be happy to discuss your questions and concerns. Try and not over stress, it doesn't help and once you get the testing completed, the answers and possibilities will make things far easier to understand. Keep a positive attitude and know that everything will work out!
A lot of us have had this disease for decades possibly without knowing we were infected. I never took any care before having a diagnoses - O.K I wasn't going around making blood sisters and brothers, BUT, in all honesty I'd shared my husbands razor, toothbrush, cut myself a few times cutting something, all the usual things people do without thought until I was diagnosed. My husband and I have been together for 12+ years and he is negative. O.k, now I know, I make sure that I am very careful, I would hate to infect another person. I have strong gums that never bleed, and I of course would always wash with very hot water a razor after and before use. Of course I'm not suggesting people do this, it was just a thoughtless thing I did as a married woman. I am thankful I didn't infect him, the guilt would have been awful. I doubt the kids passed it on, but of course a small risk is a risk.
In a strange way it is good to know the little one is infected, they can monitor and look after her, and also she will learn to be aware what she mustn't do. Kids tend to place better illness than adults as we become gripped by a fear that children don't always possess, and hopefully the new med's will be accepted for the little ones very soon.
I know it is always hard to hear someone is sick with a disease that seems frightening, but we are in a corner of history that will change the face of this disease forever. Stay strong and don't let guilt rip into you. Unless the girl bleed onto an open wound your not in any danger. My husband has dealt with my blood from operations, cuts and all sorts. Like I said he is Hep C negative. I hope you get the piece of mind once you have done the test for you and the other girl.
All the best,
Lisa
This Virus can and does live on surfaces, you need to find your inner Monk. Wipe everything! Cheers..... Everybody ends the post like that here.
Indeed and with bleach, but I have never heard of anyone catching the virus from a surface. Any personal items should never be shared and kept apart. Just usual common sense things. :)
Huey said
Jun 14, 2014
Loopy Lisa wrote:
Hi Emily,
A lot of us have had this disease for decades possibly without knowing we were infected. I never took any care before having a diagnoses - O.K I wasn't going around making blood sisters and brothers, BUT, in all honesty I'd shared my husbands razor, toothbrush, cut myself a few times cutting something, all the usual things people do without thought until I was diagnosed. My husband and I have been together for 12+ years and he is negative. O.k, now I know, I make sure that I am very careful, I would hate to infect another person. I have strong gums that never bleed, and I of course would always wash with very hot water a razor after and before use. Of course I'm not suggesting people do this, it was just a thoughtless thing I did as a married woman. I am thankful I didn't infect him, the guilt would have been awful. I doubt the kids passed it on, but of course a small risk is a risk.
In a strange way it is good to know the little one is infected, they can monitor and look after her, and also she will learn to be aware what she mustn't do. Kids tend to place better illness than adults as we become gripped by a fear that children don't always possess, and hopefully the new med's will be accepted for the little ones very soon.
I know it is always hard to hear someone is sick with a disease that seems frightening, but we are in a corner of history that will change the face of this disease forever. Stay strong and don't let guilt rip into you. Unless the girl bleed onto an open wound your not in any danger. My husband has dealt with my blood from operations, cuts and all sorts. Like I said he is Hep C negative. I hope you get the piece of mind once you have done the test for you and the other girl.
All the best,
Lisa
This Virus can and does live on surfaces, you need to find your inner Monk. Wipe everything! Cheers..... Everybody ends the post like that here.
Loopy Lisa said
Jun 14, 2014
Hi Emily,
A lot of us have had this disease for decades possibly without knowing we were infected. I never took any care before having a diagnoses - O.K I wasn't going around making blood sisters and brothers, BUT, in all honesty I'd shared my husbands razor, toothbrush, cut myself a few times cutting something, all the usual things people do without thought until I was diagnosed. My husband and I have been together for 12+ years and he is negative. O.k, now I know, I make sure that I am very careful, I would hate to infect another person. I have strong gums that never bleed, and I of course would always wash with very hot water a razor after and before use. Of course I'm not suggesting people do this, it was just a thoughtless thing I did as a married woman. I am thankful I didn't infect him, the guilt would have been awful. I doubt the kids passed it on, but of course a small risk is a risk.
In a strange way it is good to know the little one is infected, they can monitor and look after her, and also she will learn to be aware what she mustn't do. Kids tend to place better illness than adults as we become gripped by a fear that children don't always possess, and hopefully the new med's will be accepted for the little ones very soon.
I know it is always hard to hear someone is sick with a disease that seems frightening, but we are in a corner of history that will change the face of this disease forever. Stay strong and don't let guilt rip into you. Unless the girl bleed onto an open wound your not in any danger. My husband has dealt with my blood from operations, cuts and all sorts. Like I said he is Hep C negative. I hope you get the piece of mind once you have done the test for you and the other girl.
All the best,
Lisa
Isiscat2011 said
Jun 14, 2014
This is very heartbreaking but it really isn't as bad as it initially seems. We have had members here who contracted Hepc at birth and they didn't report that it negatively impacted their childhoods. I don't know why it should. As you probably know it usually takes people decades to become symptomatic or cause significant liver damage. You will have plenty of time to get her treatment and when that time comes the treatment should be pretty close to perfect.
I'm not sure how much peace of mind testing now brings because it could still be an ongoing concern. It is an entirely personal choice but I think the best way to find peace of mind is not to dwell on it too much or make it larger than it needs to be within the family.
There was a sister and brother duo that posted here a few years ago. They both treated successfully as adults. My brother and I both have it but don't know with any certainty when we got it; possibly as far back as birth. Try not to worry as it will all turn out fine. :)
Huey said
Jun 14, 2014
How unfortunate sorry to hear this,, Sovaldi has not been tested on anyone under 18. I would get the Geno=type testing done 1st. you don't know what your are dealing with until then, Ribavirin is too ruff on children, even on a low dose. and Keep in mind that the virus itself causes side effects when the anti-virals start to work.. The newest trial Tx has no Riba or peg interf. Waite for this for the Children. you have time and the side effects will be so much better for children.
ezsrivers said
Jun 14, 2014
We're waiting for an appointment with a GI dr. for our 2 year old foster daughter. We just had her tested and she's positive, either contracted at birth or through a needle stick before she was brought into care. I'm heartbroken. I know this is not a death sentence, but she did nothing to make this happen, she has no idea. We have 4 other children, one of whom we need to get tested due to toothbrush swapping (we turned our backs and they were playing). I know that's a slim chance, but I don't want to miss something. I was also too casual in a few instances patching up scrapes and I may have come into contact with her blood. I don't know how concerned we should be, but I'd rather have peace of mind.
this hurts my heart. a young child. I will pray for this sweet soul to have great care & overcome..
Emily,
You know, there are always negatives you have to deal with and this situation is no different. But I see many good things, some you may have overlooked or not have been aware of. The one very good thing I see right away is in you. That little girl has a wonderful foster mom and it seems apparent to me that you have her very best at heart. I know it's terrible that she has to go through this, but her age is really going for her. If you have had a chance to read over that website, you'll see that the virus can be defeated by her own immune system during her first two to three years of life. We can always hope that happens! The body has a powerful immune system at her age, so lets hope some luck flows her way in this instance! Regardless, the likelihood of damage is very minimal at best anyway, so I wouldn't worry about the possibility of harm anytime soon. Many of us had this virus for decades and have beat the disease and life is good! The next thing is, as Isis mentioned, she can be monitored very closely, regardless of where she goes, if custody changes. But the current treatment protocols, if the doctors feel it's something they recommend at her age, is very short. The new drug treatments last 12 to 24 weeks and the newest drugs in the pipeline are relatively side effect free and are all oral, no shots required anymore. The traumatic experiences some people had with treatments of old are gone. So if and when she needs to consider that, it will be far, far easier than you're imagining and they're improving all the time! Chin up Emily, things will be fine
Tig
This really is a sad situation. The hepc can be monitored and treated but this child has so much else working against her. What a crappy hand she was dealt. My heart goes out to her and to you as well.
Thank you for the responses
Keep them coming! I'm still adjusting. My husband seems much more at ease, but that difference is simply our personalities, I suppose! I am worried for her, but also simply frustrated that her parents' choices brought this on her (I care about them, too, and her mom's sense of guilt is powerful--dad doesn't know as we can't find him right now). I'm more worried about her long term care as it's not 100% certain that she will live with us permanently. This just ups the stakes for upcoming decisions that I have little control over.
Hi Emily,
I'd like to welcome you to the forum and tell you I'm sorry to hear about your little one. However, the diagnosis doesn't have to be one that overly frightens you. There have been great improvements in treatments, especially this past year. Instead of quoting everything in this article, I'll send you the link and recommend you read it. It will provide you with some excellent information and if you have any questions afterwards, please contact us here and we'll be happy to discuss your questions and concerns. Try and not over stress, it doesn't help and once you get the testing completed, the answers and possibilities will make things far easier to understand. Keep a positive attitude and know that everything will work out!
http://www.liverfoundation.org/chapters/rockymountain/doctorsnotes/pediatrichcv/
When Your Child Has Hepatitis C (HCV) Infection
Tig
Indeed and with bleach, but I have never heard of anyone catching the virus from a surface. Any personal items should never be shared and kept apart. Just usual common sense things. :)
This Virus can and does live on surfaces, you need to find your inner Monk. Wipe everything! Cheers..... Everybody ends the post like that here.
Hi Emily,
A lot of us have had this disease for decades possibly without knowing we were infected. I never took any care before having a diagnoses - O.K I wasn't going around making blood sisters and brothers, BUT, in all honesty I'd shared my husbands razor, toothbrush, cut myself a few times cutting something, all the usual things people do without thought until I was diagnosed. My husband and I have been together for 12+ years and he is negative. O.k, now I know, I make sure that I am very careful, I would hate to infect another person. I have strong gums that never bleed, and I of course would always wash with very hot water a razor after and before use. Of course I'm not suggesting people do this, it was just a thoughtless thing I did as a married woman. I am thankful I didn't infect him, the guilt would have been awful. I doubt the kids passed it on, but of course a small risk is a risk.
In a strange way it is good to know the little one is infected, they can monitor and look after her, and also she will learn to be aware what she mustn't do. Kids tend to place better illness than adults as we become gripped by a fear that children don't always possess, and hopefully the new med's will be accepted for the little ones very soon.
I know it is always hard to hear someone is sick with a disease that seems frightening, but we are in a corner of history that will change the face of this disease forever. Stay strong and don't let guilt rip into you. Unless the girl bleed onto an open wound your not in any danger. My husband has dealt with my blood from operations, cuts and all sorts. Like I said he is Hep C negative. I hope you get the piece of mind once you have done the test for you and the other girl.
All the best,
Lisa
This is very heartbreaking but it really isn't as bad as it initially seems. We have had members here who contracted Hepc at birth and they didn't report that it negatively impacted their childhoods. I don't know why it should. As you probably know it usually takes people decades to become symptomatic or cause significant liver damage. You will have plenty of time to get her treatment and when that time comes the treatment should be pretty close to perfect.
I'm not sure how much peace of mind testing now brings because it could still be an ongoing concern. It is an entirely personal choice but I think the best way to find peace of mind is not to dwell on it too much or make it larger than it needs to be within the family.
There was a sister and brother duo that posted here a few years ago. They both treated successfully as adults. My brother and I both have it but don't know with any certainty when we got it; possibly as far back as birth. Try not to worry as it will all turn out fine. :)
We're waiting for an appointment with a GI dr. for our 2 year old foster daughter. We just had her tested and she's positive, either contracted at birth or through a needle stick before she was brought into care. I'm heartbroken. I know this is not a death sentence, but she did nothing to make this happen, she has no idea. We have 4 other children, one of whom we need to get tested due to toothbrush swapping (we turned our backs and they were playing). I know that's a slim chance, but I don't want to miss something. I was also too casual in a few instances patching up scrapes and I may have come into contact with her blood. I don't know how concerned we should be, but I'd rather have peace of mind.