What to tell people?

[Greta2012]

I've chosen not to tell anyone I'm going through treatment, except my husband and some close family.  I work and live in a little gossipy town so I really don't want anyone to know, but everyone keeps asking me what is wrong.  I've said the flu, but that excuse won't work for long.  Anyone have any good ideas??  I could go with the anemia since that is pretty true, but not sure how long that takes to fix usually.

[James10500]

I'm not ashamed I had HCV, I treated it, and I beat it.  There was just an article in all major newspapers about HCV killing more people than AIDS and people still won't talk about it.  To each there own! But if we can create a dialog in this country about HCV we might encourage testing even saving some lives.  

True story I was riding a chairlift with two guys earlier this winter.  I explained why I wasn't at work last winter.  I talked about what HCV is, the treatment for it and what it was like. I also told them I was SVR. After we got off one of them thanked me because he has HCV and he is afraid to talk about it.

I'm on a mission to when ever appropriate talk about HCV and inform people.

[Tekelcat]

"It surprises me that the one time you definitely, without question, should have disclosed, you didn't. I can see how that could be a deal breaker, not just because of lying, but by putting someone's health at risk.

As far as co-workers, in-laws, etc. go, I don't see the point. An HCV carrier is not considered a threat to the public otherwise there would be a reporting system."

Of course, if as you think, to have HCV and have sex with someone is putting them at a health risk, then HCV must be considered a "threat to the public" surely? This, at least, is the basis for legal cases where a person with HIV has knowingly had sex with a person without disclosing.

I'm really wondering here ----

[Tekelcat]

Look, if there is a moral obligation to disclose when sexual conduct is involved then given the data on sexual transmission of HCV when there are no other behavioral variables, such as IVDU, extreme forms of sexual conduct, needle sticks, etc, going on, then the moral obligation to disclose is surely about honesty and transparency rather than about risk? I have probably had HCV for about 40 years. Two husbands, a same sex marriage, and a couple of serious partners later, and a lot of delightful hanky panky with all of them, nobody has been infected by me, and I know, I've checked. HCV is not an STD. I disclose now with romantic interests because I want them to know who I am and have a choice about the freight I bring into a relationship, not because it's a matter of risking transmission of the virus to them.

[Kristina538]

I'm wondering activities you believe 'the moral obligation' pertains to?   Everyone, these days, is aware of HIV, Hep A,B,C, plus many other more contagious diseases,and everyone has a moral obligation to look after themselves against other who aren't aware they carry a disease.   Sex?: yes  Dentist: yes  .... what other activities do you suggest should be in this group?  Tennis?

"I hope everyone out there realizes that while they do have the option not to disclose in some situations, in others they do not. If you are engaging in activities, whether they be through work or relationships, that could endanger someone's health, you have a moral obligation to either disclose or to cease the activity. At least I hope everyone will exercise that moral obligation."

[Bovary73]

" I think I am the elephant in the room sometimes but it is what it is. ."

well said...lol...just how I feel these days...trying to avoid attention ;) lol

[Tekelcat]

Hmm, well my non-disclosure to my partner was before I came to terms with my HVC and learned to be honest about it. I am still appalled by my behavior, but mostly in terms of m lack of honesty. I discussed disclosure with my hepatologist and the advice was that there was no risk to her as long as I kept my toothbrush, etc, separate and we didn't engage in sexual intercourse when either of us was menstruating.