Re: Daughter has son, 8, New BF has Hep C-PLEASE HELP !!!

When I first read your post it angered me because people do react as you have in your post to even the sound of the word Hepititis C and its nasty reputation for being a disease of intravenous drug users, but then I remembered my own family's reaction and my reaction when I found out I had the disease. It served none of us to be upset about it or to be fearful and it certainly doesn't help the infected one deal with the disease or the ones living with infected people. Its a very baffling virus for sure, and my DRs can't tell me where I got the disease (tattoos, blood transfusions, HepC immunizations while in the military)but the most prominent and fastest way to transfer HepC is through direct blood contact as through needles. When I was diagnosed with the disease and people outside of my family started discussing it (small town - DR with a big mouth) I was ostracized for being associated with the disease of hookers and drug users.

Educate yourself - don't be ignorant of the disease - start with the Centers of Disease Control and also stay here in the cure zone to listen to first hand experiences of people who live with the disease every day.

My family was tested, my children do not have HepC and neither does my husband and he's even more subseptible to catching it from me because he has herpes which can cause sores (as everyone knows) and open wounds, and if we've had intercourse close to or too soon after a menstrural cycle, and its a breakout period, well... it could spell immediate disaster - and yet we practiced unprotected sex even before I knew that I had the disease and have encountered these types of scenerios, thankfully with no infection to my husband.

So, adding to what others have said, try to look at it in a different light without so much emphasis on the "nasty" of the disease. HepC is a horrible disease, it is affiliated most with intravenous drug users, but its just a disease, that's all. Its not a filthy mark that people should have to live with - you'd be amazed at how many people you've touched, stood next too, were served by in a restraunt, that have HepC you'd be amazed. There are ways to tell people you have the disease, there is a gentle way to face the issue with limited pain in the bad news.

Catching HepC from a toothbrush is probably an unlikely way to transmit, but the CDC does recommend separating personal hygeine implements as most of us should do anyways.

I am not an expert, just a woman suffering from the disease - who has been through announcing my new found chronic friend and being severely treated for doing so, even to the point of losing a job because my co-workers didn't want to work in the same office where I had my desk.

Blessings to you and your family....