Telling people

[benboo]

I just found out I have Hep C and go to the specialist in two weeks.  My boyfriend and I have been together only three months but I am totally in love and am scared to tell him about my Hep C.  I wanted to wait til I see the specialist but I think I need to tell him now.  How do I do this?

[benboo]

Thanks Cindy.  I'm gonna wait.  I'll let ya'll know when I do find out.

[EyesofBlue55]

I would really wait till you have more info-like the others have said.You might only have the antibodies if your body fought it off.Dont make a situation  worse until you know more. cindy

[benboo]

Yeah, I know, that is true.  It's just that people freak when you say Hep C...I'm sure you know that.  I've been around it, my husband died from cirhossis (sp?) and it started with Hep C but he never got treatment and his liver just rotted.

[copyman]

yes if you only have antibodies that is much better. Around 15-420% of peoples immune system are able to fight it off. Hopefully you are in the %. PCR test will confirm.

Actually you have a better chance of contradicting herpes from him then he has getting HCV from you.

best of luck

[benboo]

So, the doc can tell how long I've been infected?  I am beginning to think I only have the antibodies which would be better, right?

[babs824]

no need alarm him til u have more information. if u find that u were infected years ago and u decide to tell come armed with lots of information about how it passed which as i said is blood to blood only. good luck.

[benboo]

LOL, ok thanks anyway

[FlGuy]

You're asking the wrong guy.  I'm out there on the edge when it comes to secrecy and confidentiality.  I don't even tell myself important things.

[benboo]

So, should I not tell my guy anything yet?  

[benboo]

That's what I'm thinking after what I'm hearing from ya'll.  And thanks, cause the last two days for some reason have been hell thinking about this, but you are right, I need to confirm what is actually going on with this.  thanks

[FlGuy]

From what you have written so far it does not yet seemed that you are confirmed to have HCV.  Often, doctors misinterpret or misinform that the presence of antibodies is a confirmed presence of an infection when it's not.  I'd wait until the PCR Test is done before shouting from the rooftop either way.

[benboo]

I guess I'll know more when I go to the specialist.  I think I'll try not to stress while I'm waiting.  I'm hoping and praying for the best.  Whichever it is I will do whatever my doc advises.  And thanks for the input.

[willbb]

Well...if indeed you are in the acute stage of the infection .(considered in the first 6 months or so  post exposure) approx. 15  -25% of people will fight off the infection by their own immune system.

Usually the first test you doctor would run is the antibodies test and if that is positive often your doc will send you to a G.I. like yours has to run further tests (PCR) to ascertain whether or not you do have active HCV,or possibly already fought it off or was possibly(albeit rare) a false positive test

It would be helpful to know what test your doc ran (if you can find out)  and like I said if it was the antibodies test you may or may not have active infection .
Let us know and...welcome

Will

[benboo]

I had my blood work done and asked for a Hep C test also and my family doc told me I have Hep C and need to see gastroentologist.  So I have an appt. on the 16th.  But from what I've been reading your body can fight off the Hep C without treatment unless I'm misunderstanding.  Just anxiously waiting for my appt.  Was told all my other blood work was good.

[willbb]

Have you been told you have active HCV by a PCR test or  have you just  been tested for antibodies..  because you say   "because I am so healthy I may fight this off without treatment"  Unfortunately ..if you have chronic infection(usually 6 months post exposure) that will not happen

Good luck..
Will

[benboo]

And, no, I'm not doing anything secretly and I think I would tell him if I had cancer.

[benboo]

Thanks Babs, it has been on my mind not to tell him, but the sexual thing is a big concern and that's what I'm thinking is the first thing he will think is that it is sexually transmitted.  I do think this relationship has a good chance of being permanent but he has not committed to anything yet, but he's getting closer.  I am crazy about him and don't want to run him off, but like you said, if he's the man I think he is he will stick by me.  We live far apart and I will spend this weekend with him and then won't see him for two more weeks.  So, if I tell him now he has two weeks to think about it.  And I'm scared he'll decide not to see me anymore.  So...I don't know.  He told me already that he has herpes.  So, that's one reason I feel the need to tell him.  But if he is not at risk sexually I'm thinking about not telling him yet.  Because I am so healthy I may fight this off without treatment.  I have no symptoms at all.

[babs824]

hcv is not transmitted sexually in 99% of cases so if this is a concern u can rest easy. avoid any activities that can transmit blood to blood; using same razor or nail clippers. other wise it is not a medical issue but has to do with the relationship and how much u wish to share. if u got cancer would u tell? if u partake in any activity like iv drug abuse secretly this of course is another element. if you feel this is a long term committed relationship i think that this is a good test. if your partner is not sympathetic and supportive this is a red flag. just my opinion. best of luck, babs
do not tell others til u think it thru though as the stigma is still prevalent and u will not be able to retract