That's a personal decision. If you think your kids are the type of people that will just blame you for your situation I would not bother. If they are supporting and care about your well being then perhaps you should. People are all different. I suppose you should ask yourself what is the point of disclosure? What would you gain? What would you loose?

a legal man once told me when words are in your mouth, you are the master when they are out of your mouth you are the slave

That's a good one hepc

It is terrible the stigma surrounding this disease. I agree with hepcme. Yet I think when I am cured, I may share the struggle I have had with those who could benefit from it. Others just don't understand if they have never been through it. Lots of people are crazy in their youth, unfortunately a few of us paid the price and it is a constant reminder and for some, a source of shame.

There's much wisdom coming from everyone here. Albeit it is a personal decision, you must ask yourself the question; will anyone benefit if I share this?

Having hep c is a huge source of shame for those of us afflicted. I found it much easier if I told people I had cancer. They have so many charitable organizations for "finding the cure". A lot of people don't know that hepatitis c is a precancerous condition and yet we all remain in the shadows. However, the new drugs will eventually wipe out this virus and eventually it will all be history.

In the meantime, I have written a book about my journey with autoimmune disease and hep c. It's my hope that my story will put a face on those suffering from hepatitis c and help stop any further stigmatization of this deadly disease. It's time for us to get the global awareness that we so rightfully deserve. Needless to say, when I am declared "cured" of hep c, my book will finally have the happy ending I've dreamed about for so many years.

I truly believe that one day we will all be proud to talk about our experience in fighting this virus.

God bless you all on your journey to wellness!

Healing Hearts

I'm sorta getting way beyond the stigma and shame but it helps when you've cleared. I felt much of that at diagnosis in 2012 though and remember it well. I say we take this disease by the balls and say f*ck 'em if they can't take a joke! HCV is a fricking virus, syphillis is a freaking bacterium and Valley fever is a fracking fungus among us.

Screw it. :-D

As for the chilluns, if they're going to judge you then why bother. Would you tell them that you had chlamydia once? No I make light if this of course but tell people that will be supportive. Most will ever understand so tell us. We get it. We got it. We good.

Edit - NEVER

Why put my health problems onto the shoulders of loved ones? I learned that one the hard way. Tell them after you successfully do tx.

My children have know for twenty years As the years go by I don't even mention it to them. I never told them or anyone else that I relapsed six months post 3tx. My wife and I are,the only ones that know.
Since I continue to be in the best shape of my life it would be hard to convince anyone that I am infected with the disease.

I think your better off keeping it to yourself. if your worried about it then they will worry.

thank you all so much took my guilt away I pretty much had decided o keep it between me and my husband and 2 aunts who are loving and supportive thought well if god forbid I did die from this they needed to keep my husband close in the family I realize this is slow progressing but I was terrified that 1st week or so and I remember my ex and how it took him I now know there is hope I at 1st didn't think there was so keeping my mouth shut and on here my ears open I think I have researched this virus to death haha hope so lol I just am so grateful for all of u when I am worrying u guys make me see my options and how unnessary my guilt is and pointless thank u all so very much may we all be cured by next Christmas

What you wrote many can relate to here. Look up, stay bright, smile, breathe and be good to yourself, your friends and family. Make good memories and the rest falls into place.

Guilt for this? Eh. Won't help you. The decisions we make today and tomorrow now matter most. Sleep well.

I decided to come out with my HCV. How I became sick is completely irrelevant because I don't even know when or where I contracted this disease. I already have plenty of regrets to fondle so I don't need to create more. When people ask me how I got HCV, I tell them I was exposed to infected blood. End of story. To elaborate is to speculate. I do believe this: attempting to put a moral story on a disease is Medieval.

Some people are very private about their health, others clearly cross the line into blathering sympathy mongerdom. Most of us are somewhere in the middle. Would you tell someone you had diabetes, for example? Some people wouldn't. They think there is a stigma attached to it, too.

A friend of mine recently lost his Dad to liver failure. I don't know his specific diagnosis, but I do know that he didn't even tell his wife or kids he was sick. And his death was a complete shock to his family. They felt angry and deeply hurt because he didn't tell them- so many lost opportunities to spend time with him. They didn't know his days were numbered.

Hopefully in the future people won't have the disease long enough for it to even be a social issue. They'll be diagnosed and 1-2 mos later, cured! HUZZAH!

Very wise post. Sounds like a plan Jan!

I never felt stigmatized. Your children are grown. I wouldve definitely expected my mom to have told me something like this but such was our relationship.

The only way 2 people can keep a secret is if one of them is dead

btw- my mother wasn't a robot, and from what I recall, neither was my father.