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

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.

Huey wrote:

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Loopy Lisa wrote:

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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

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 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.

 

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 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. :)

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

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.