Talking about Hepatitis - To tel or not to tell?

[Keith_2008]

I wanted to write this post because I have not seen this issue come up. It may have been talked about before I just haven't seen it. I was diagnosed with Hep C back almost a year ago. I just started a clinical trial last week. The issue I want to talk about is whether or not you should tell your friends, acquaintances that you have Hepatitis. I find the issue a little difficult to talk about really. All my family members know I have Hep C.

This forum is an easy place to talk about Hepatitis because that's what's it's for and the people who participate are most often diagnosed with Hepatitis. We don't have anything to hide here. Most of us on this forum have one thing in common, which is what leads us to this forum. There's no discrimination here. But in the real world trying to explain to someone you have Hepatitis is like a whole different issue. They don't really understand what Hepatitis is or how it works. They have preconceived notions that it can be contagious threw physical contact. There are a whole host of issues that the general public does not understand about this virus.

I have a friend ( It's really a group of friends)of mine that I told I had Hepatitis. I typically see this friend 6 or 7 times a year but since I have told him I have Hepatitis I have not seen him one time. I'm usually invited to party's and other events and not one time in the last year have I been invited to any events. It's like once this group of friends found out I had Hepatitis they just want to stay clear of me. I get the feeling that they seem to think if I come around that somehow they can be infected by me. So I still talk with them over the phone and stuff. I just haven't seen them in person. I also am a member of a club and I have been able to participate in club meetings up to this point but now that I am being treated for Hep C. The drugs are having a significant impact on my health and therefore may not be able to participate in club meeting as I would normally do. How do I explain this to them? I'm afraid that if I tell them I have Hepatitis that I would be discriminated against by at least some members. I could get kick out of the club altogether. I feel like some people will just look down on me and not want anything to do with me anymore. I've thought about telling them I have cancer instead of Hep C. I think they would be more sympathetic to the situation but then I would be living a lie which is something I don't like. I'm going to have to tell them something and I just don't like the idea of telling them I have Hep C. So I find this whole situation a bit difficult. Should I tell or shouldn't I? I know I can't be alone in this situation. I just wanted some feedback about how some of you handle this situation. I think it's a good topic to talk about and I think I would find it interesting to see what other forum members have to say about this subject.
Peace!
Keith

[Art54]

I think you pick the people you want to tell, wisely.  You have enough on your plate without feeling conscientious about what (people say) or how people might react.  There's some good support groups out there too. Stay strong.

Art

[Marcia2202]

You KNOW we love you!

[epiphiny]

You brighten my weekends with your sense of humour and wild statements.  You could have your own TV show!  Don't ever go changing!

Epi :)

[kitkat14]

Sorry, Rocker.  No offense intended.  It was just some silliness to pass the time on a cold, windy Sunday afternoon.

[Rockerforlife]

I hope you ladies are having a good time at my expense...enjoy it while you can...cause your day is gonna come....."you know im ONLY serious"

[kitkat14]

Now I'm pulling your leg...  Ya, you make me laugh....

Its that Newfie sense of humour, it always cracks me up.  I don't think I've ever met a Newfie without a great sense of humour, its like its in the blood almost.