HCV contamination in news and stigma associated with it

[DragonSlayer45]

I just wanted to post on this subject since it has been mulling around in my brain for over a week.

There have been many posts over the years concerning the stigma associated with Hep C. Many people have commented on lots of threads about whether to tell people you are treating, what to tell people, who to tell, etc. Some people decide to just be open about it and some don't. Neither position IMO is wrong but a personal decision we each make.

I personally decided to only tell a very select few. My family, a few close friends at work since my treatment would impact them and that is pretty much it. I spent a lot of time coming to my decision and for me it was the correct one. I have young children and was very active in the community and ran a local youth sports program. My decision is mostly based on the fact that people talk, are ignorant about things like Hep C. Being that I ran a local sports program and when it comes with dealing with their little johnny can get really ignorant.  I have younger kids I did not want them to have to deal with all that if they did not need to. The following just helps confirm for me my decision on who to share with and who not.

Recently their was 2 stories in the local papers. The first story had to deal with a local dialysis unit that has found 15 patients since 2005 that contracted HCV as a result of their dialysis treatment. They are investigating trying to find the direct cause.

The other article was about a VA hospital in Miami I believe that has now reported 5 patients who contracted HIV and 33 with hep C as a result of endoscopic procedures, and improper cleaning of the equipment (scary is this day and age).

What beings me to mention this (besides the fact that this is still happening in this day and age) is that my wife was at work. She heard someone mention all the news about the swine flu. The person who she was talking to said "yeah I heard about that but did you hear about the Hep C outbreak!" ....OUTBREAK, she was referring to the earlier article about 15 cases reported since 2005.

Later that same day I was talking to someone who commented on swine flu and said some ignorant comment about getting it from pigs (kissing them). I then attempted explained that is not how it is transmitted and that I saw an interview on TV where they traced it back to patient zero. to which they replied. You can trace the AIDS virus back to some African having sex with monkeys too. I decided right then and there that the conversation was over. You really can not reason with that kind of mentality and level of ignorance. Scary to think that so many like this walk among us (and procreate too).

Anyway Through my entire treatment I did as many have and still do. I forged ahead pushing through all my sides from the meds. I would do what I refer to as "Giving good face". No one ever knew I was sick, treating, or how horrible I would be feeling from this treatment. I finally decided after talking it over with my doctor to take the final 5 weeks off work. This decision came after a car accident that I attribute to my brain fog (that was a previous post).

Now when I return in another couple weeks I will have everyone wondering where have I been and all the rumors that I can only imagine have spread. I still at this point will just tell people that I am fine and was dealing with some personal issues, and just leave it at that.

I just wanted to share that as it bothered me for a few weeks.

[Rockerforlife]

Each year, there are about 35,000 cases of acute hepatitis C.


IWAS RIGHT

my memory seems to be ok


http://www.allabouthepatitisc.com/readytolearn/about/statistics.jsp

[jdwithhcv]

I told people.  I think the more we are upfront about this, the more people will learn that Hep C can happen to anybody.  My friends and family were helpful and supportive.  Hardly anybody ever asked how I got it.  They have seen me through chemo in the past and they were just relieved that I did not have a recurrence of cancer!  

  

[Rockerforlife]

Tell someone the last time you took a dump....and everone will know.....its the nature of the beast....PEOPLE YAK

[Rockerforlife]

I think 35,000 a day...not sure on those numbers.....still get infected    EVERY DAY...time will run out one day and we will all be up the creek

[comeagain]

I guess if the "easy womens" are pigs  thats makes almost every man a swine doesn´t it? Since we are more than easy most of the times !!

Conclusion if you don´t want the swine flu don´t kiss men womenfolks, and you guys keep straight!

ca

[mikesimon]

I never cared whether anyone knew. I do not work for anyone either so I cannot speculate how it might have affected my workplace had I been open about it.
Friends? If "friends" are going to treat you differently or think differently about you I would not value the friendship.
It may appear odd that while I have been quite open about HCV and I did have a liver transplant in 2000 (which was news in my area) I don't think more than 4 people have asked me how I contracted hepatitis c. Perhaps it may have been maybe 5 or 6 but hundreds of people know I was transplanted and very few asked me how I got it. I have been told that I am somewhat unapproachable so maybe that explains it.
I was never in the least bit ashamed about any of it but I really was quite scared and depressed. Social stigma never figured into any of my emotions.
Mike