Fostering & Hepatitis C

[MarvellousMadMadamMim]

Hello. I'd like a bit of advice or just general views from others with experience in this. I have three children of my own and I have been trying to gain care of a family member who last week was diagnosed with having hepatitis c passed onto her from her birth mother. She is currently 7 months old. I have been reading about the illness and understand a lot about it. However other family members have reacted quite negatively and told me I am putting my own children at risk if I choose to continue my application. I can provide the little one with the care she needs, I understand how the virus is transmitted and believe that I can protect my other children. However others say I am wrong and stupid for even considering it. Any thoughts or opinions most welcome please.!

I'm no expect but with basic hygiene measures that you'd use anyway it would be difficult to transmit rather than easy and a lot wouldn't be necessary with a child anyway not sharing razors etc. Im sad that your family would have a negative reaction to you doing something wonderful dont let their stigma and lack of education about infection control put you off.

I used to have HepC. People are really afraid of it but it's not as dangerous as they think. I'm not sure how old your own children are but I don't think there should be any real problem. In fact, about the only thing I can think of that I worried about was toothbrushes: I always kept my toothbrush away from the rest of the family so that nobody would accidentally use it. Because toothbrushing can cause bleeding gums that may be an issue. But that is the only thing I can think of.

HepC is increasingly curable and I think the odds are good that this child will be cured of the disease before too long, depending on when it's deemed appropriate to start treatment.

maybe give them the nhs factsheet to read

I have extensive experience of Hep C and fostering. We fostered right through that period, with the blessing of our LA. Although I have to say that I instigated a conversation between the consultant and our LA as they were ignorant. Once they understood they were fine.

Ignorance is your problem I'm afraid. Education is the only answer.