Ribavirin has not been studied in nursing mothers being treated for hepatitis C infection. However, ribavirin is given directly to infants by inhalation to treat respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. The amount in milk is likely to be lower than the doses received by infants treated with ribavirin for RSV infection.
Hepatitis C is not transmitted through breastmilk and breastmilk has been shown to inactivate hepatitis C virus (HCV).[1-4] However, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that mothers with HCV infection should consider abstaining from breastfeeding if their nipples are cracked or bleeding. It is not clear if this warning would apply to mothers who are being treated for hepatitis C.
Infants born to mothers with HCV infection should be tested for HCV infection; because maternal antibody is present for the first 18 months of life and before the infant mounts an immunologic response, nucleic acid testing is recommended.[1,4]