Can viral hepatitis be breastfed?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

Updated on March 16, 2025

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Regarding the issue of whether breastfeeding is possible with viral hepatitis, it depends on the specific situation, as there are many types of viral hepatitis, and opinions vary for different types. For individuals infected with Hepatitis B, it is generally considered safe to breastfeed. However, breastfeeding is not recommended for mothers with Hepatitis C. Hepatitis A and E, during their acute infectious phases, are contagious, and breastfeeding is not advised. Hepatitis A and E are self-limiting diseases, and breastfeeding can be resumed four to eight weeks after recovery.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

45sec

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What indicators are checked for viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis requires relevant hepatitis markers, such as hepatitis A antibodies IgG and IgM for hepatitis A, and for hepatitis B, the "hepatitis B two and a half pairs" test is conducted to check for surface antigens. If the surface antigen is positive, it indicates a hepatitis B virus infection; if negative, there is no hepatitis B virus infection. Hepatitis C is primarily screened through hepatitis C antibodies; if the screening is positive, further testing for hepatitis C virus RNA is needed. Hepatitis E mainly involves testing for hepatitis E antibodies IgG and IgM.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang

Infectious Disease

1min 3sec

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What indicators are checked for viral hepatitis?

For viral hepatitis, the primary index to check is liver function. If there are obvious abnormalities in liver function, further clarification is needed to determine what caused these liver function abnormalities. The most common pathogens include Hepatitis A, B, C, E, D, and non-A non-E, etc. Typical hospitals carry out tests for Hepatitis A, B, C, and E. Hepatitis A and E are acute hepatitis; if IgM antibodies are positive, it can indicate a recent infection. However, if IgG antibodies are positive, their significance is not very substantial. If Hepatitis B or C causes the liver damage, further tests such as HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA, etc., need to be conducted to clarify the cause of the liver condition. Additionally, regular follow-up exams like ultrasound and AFP are required.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong

Infectious Diseases

52sec

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Can viral hepatitis be cured?

Viral hepatitis is currently divided into five main types: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis E, and Hepatitis D. Hepatitis A and E generally present as acute hepatitis; sometimes, the course of these diseases is relatively short, and recovery is common. Many patients with Hepatitis A and E recover without seeking hospital treatment, as they may not even realize they are infected before they get better. However, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are less likely to resolve on their own and tend to develop into chronic hepatitis more often. But with advancements in treatment methods, the cure rates for Hepatitis B and C have significantly improved. Therefore, it can be said that viral hepatitis is treatable.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong

Infectious Diseases

40sec

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How is chronic viral hepatitis treated?

Chronic viral hepatitis is most commonly found in chronic hepatitis B and C, both of which have long disease courses and complex treatments, and some cases may even lead to lifelong infection. The key to their treatment actually lies in the timely initiation of standardized antiviral therapy. For hepatitis B, the antiviral treatment mainly includes interferon and nucleoside analogues, while the antiviral treatment for hepatitis C can also use interferon, as well as direct-acting antiviral drugs. The treatment for both diseases involves timely, standardized, and complete courses of antiviral therapy.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang

Infectious Disease

1min 5sec

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The cause of ascites in viral hepatitis

Generally, viral hepatitis does not lead to ascites, but if viral hepatitis progresses to liver failure, severe hepatitis, or cirrhosis, ascites can occur. The main causes of ascites are related to portal hypertension and sodium and water retention. Additionally, patients with chronic liver diseases often have low albumin levels, leading to hypoalbuminemia, which can also contribute to the development of ascites. Therefore, the presence of ascites in viral hepatitis generally indicates a severe condition, and the outcome after treatment might be poor as ascites can recur. If ascites occurs in viral hepatitis, it is crucial to rule out the presence of cirrhosis. For some patients in the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, the initial symptom might be ascites. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary once ascites appears in viral hepatitis, requiring further attention.