HOW and WHAT to tell your employer and co-workers

[WOG1964]

How come when you mention Hep C people tend to look at you like "OMG don't touch me" I am so confused and scared what to tell my employer. Anyone have and suggestions?

[Advocate1955]

My husband hasn't told anyone other than me and our children.
Advocate1955

[indy531]

I filed under ADA-Americans w/Disabilities Act. The only person who may even find out is your HR and they are forbidden to release/talk about your dx w/anyone. No one knew mine and I told people that it made me uncomfortable to talk about it-glad I did. Hector is completelycorrect-there is a terrible stigma that was put out there by the CDC to protect itself from having to disclose it's ineptitude in protecting the public blood supply (blood transfusions, veterans receiving innoculations in the service) is beyond the pale. To this day only 3 peopleknow my dx and I am SVR w/Alt @ 14 and AST @13. Protect yourself and know your rights under the law.

[ceanothus]

It's a very personal decision. So far you've mostly heard from those who don't tell. I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum, having told almost everyone I know. I've even put it on my Facebook page (though limited to friends only). Of the huge number who know of my struggles with this virus, I've had only one case where I felt I was avoided as a result, and even that may have been my imagination. I do live in Northern Californua, which may have a higher level of acceptance or education about the virus. I acquired the virus from a blood transfusion, so in those cases where an individual might have preconceptions about past drug users, they are immediately put at ease by this info about its origins. If you are going to tell people I would recommend coming up with a comfortable storyline for how you acquired it. They WILL ask, and if you have any feelings of shame associated with it, you can bet those will be passed along with your story. Personally I believe if you don't have an easily acceptable story you should just make one up - as simple and close to truth as possible. Transfusions before 1990 or so, dental work, tattoos, piercings, and air-injection vaccinations are all possibilities that apply to many people in the baby boomer generation and none of them carry a stigma like IV drug use does.

I'm very glad I have shared it with everyone, as they have all been another circle of support for me, and in some cases it has resulted in bringing me much closer to someone I hadn't known all that well. I just posted on Facebook about having achieved SVR, and I feel very much buoyed up by all the love and congratulations I've received. One big caveat: I don't have a regular job to worry about. That makes the whole decision far more complicated, and workplace rivalries could make it most unpleasant for some.

[lexx0]

Hi there I only told my boss at work and he was ok with it the reson I told him was that I thought I would take days off work with my treatment but I'm on week 7 and I'm really doing ok and I told a really close work mate which she is good to talk to...so really you don't need to tell nobody it's up to you who you feel comfortable with

[Idyllic]

I used to not tell people. But the more I learned the more angry and disheartened I was at the amount of misconceptions and ignorance there is out there. I am talking about people in our age group and those in the medical profession.

I honestly think the more you learn the less stigmatized you yourself will be and almost feel bound to explain how HCV works to other people. Having said that it is no one's business but yours. I am not the type to get close to co-workers and colleagues so it would be out of character to reveal something of such an intimate nature.

[can-do-man]

If one feels they should say something... How about, I have a blood disorder that is effecting my liver but everything will be fine.......... Good luck.