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Current HIV/AIDS Reports

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01-04-2018 | Co-infections and Comorbidity (S Naggie, Section Editor)

Treatment of Hepatitis C during Pregnancy-Weighing the Risks and Benefits in Contrast to HIV

Authors: A. Sidney Barritt IV, Ravi Jhaveri

Published in: Current HIV/AIDS Reports | Issue 2/2018

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Increasing hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases over the past decade have raised concerns about subsequent increased cases in infants due to mother to child transmission (MTCT). Many are reminded of the early days of HIV and the rationale for using antiretroviral agents during pregnancy.

Recent Findings

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that are highly potent, all-oral, short-duration regimens that cure HCV have led many to consider what it would entail to use DAAs for pregnant women. Considering HIV and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) as two infections with MTCT to draw lessons from, DAA use to interrupt HCV MTCT comes with risks, costs, and many potential benefits.

Summary

When considering how to effectively curb the current epidemic of HCV in the US population, using DAAs to treat pregnant women with HCV offers potential benefits to the mother immediately, to the pair in the short-term and to the child, family, and society over a lifetime.

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Title: Treatment of Hepatitis C during Pregnancy-Weighing the Risks and Benefits in Contrast to HIV
Authors: A. Sidney Barritt IV
Ravi Jhaveri
Publication date: 01-04-2018
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Current HIV/AIDS Reports / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 1548-3568
Electronic ISSN: 1548-3576
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-018-0386-z

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