Final answer:
A significant percentage of infants who contract HCV may become chronic carriers despite the low vertical transmission rate. HBV and HCV have different patterns of transmission and potential long-term health consequences. Vaccinations are essential for preventing HBV, especially in high-risk populations and healthcare workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Although the likelihood of vertical transmission of Hepatitis C (HCV) is low, a large percentage of infants will become chronic carriers if they acquire the virus from their mothers. Transmission of HCV is primarily through contact with infected blood. New medications have been developed that are effective in treating HCV, and they are tailored to the specific genotype of the virus in an infected individual. Mother-to-child transmission, however, can have long-term consequences for infants, as practically 90% of infants who contract Hepatitis B virus (HBV) from their mothers become chronic carriers. In contrast, 75%-85% of people infected with HCV become chronic carriers. Preventative measures such as vaccination are critical in combating these viruses.
For HBV, vaccination is highly recommended and is part of the standard vaccination schedule, which includes one dose at birth and the second by 18 months of age. Additionally, adults at greater risk, such as intravenous drug users and those with multiple sexual partners, are encouraged to receive the vaccination. Health-care agencies are required to offer the HBV vaccine to all workers who have occupational exposure to blood or other infectious materials.