The stigma of HCV transmission - Betty

[Guest guest]

Betty,

There are many ways you could have contracted HCV that would have had nothing to

do with your husband. For the most part, HCV is NOT sexually transmitted. We

all were more exposed to this than we realize back in our youth. Dentists did

not sterilize their equipment prior to the mid 80's. Their instruments were

cleaned but not sterilized. If you ever got your ears pierced in the mall, you

could have been exposed there. Innoculations when we were kids were given with

a gun of sorts that had a retractable needle.. same needle was used over and

over again. There are countless ways that we could have gotten infected. But

to think that you either got it from your late husband or were born with it

seems rather narrow-minded. For the most part, many of us will never know how

we contracted this virus. How we got the virus is not important. What we do

once we know we are infected is a totally different thing. That is what is

important. There is already a horrible stigma attached to HCV and HIV. For

those of us who have been infected with either of these viruses to continue to

propagate these stigmas just does nothing to help awareness.

Hugs,

Teri

>

> Dear Rod, Welcome to the group, you will see Don is of Great support to us

all.

> My husband passed of HIV in 96, I found out in 2005 I have HepC, I can only

> assume that he was co-infected and maybe did not know it and thats is how I

got

> it. Some peolple believe that u can not get hcv via sex however I have to

argue

> that because I peersonnaly never used IV drug, nor had any transfusions,

however

> thats what the docs say, either I got it from him or was born with it, it can

> take uo to 40 years to manifest itsself so anything is possible. I will give

u a

> few scenarios tht I have seen myself. 1. His sister in law- infected w/HIV

from

> working in a nursing home. She has been Drug free, and on the cocktail of

drugs

> since 1995 and is alive and working and well. 2. A co-worker who found out she

> had both hiv and hepc in 2005 approx. is also on drugs for the hiv which don

is

> right they also treat treat the hepc,It is not a cure for the hepc though it

is

> to help keep the viral load down. Problem in her case is her boyfriend, does

not

> have hiv, however came home and says he has HVB, now the concern come in. She

> has no immune system and will absolutly get the hepB, as it is extremely more

> contagious than C. She's in love and feels that no-one else would want her

with

> the HIV/HEPc so she has put herself at risk of getting HCB. She was doing

well

> on the meds and working a physical job at HomeDepot but since his infection

> which I believe she now has also, she is not doing so well.I know u said this

is

> your BFF but please take all precautions when together you should wear a mask.

I

> feel like thats rude but hopefully they willl understand your situation. and

3.

> My dear late hubby, he knew he had hiv, took the meds for a few yrs and did

> great DRUG FREE, he struggled with it mentally though, then he decide to used

> rugs again, kinda gave up i think,Thats when i gave up on the marriage

> too. Thats when the HIV drugs were no longer helping him. He did survive

about

> 10 yrs after the diagnosis, however I strongly feel from what i have

seen that

> is IF he has stayed drug free and had continued taking care of himself with

> proper diet and medications he may still be here with the sister in law (1). I

> did hear recently there has been a major breakthru with hiv. they have foiund

> that there is a Gene that some people have (I must have it) that will inhibit

> the HIV from living in the body. with that knowledge they will be able to

> produce life saving medicines again that doesnt kill the virus but keeps it

> dorment, and you live much longer. I could not understand how I got the HVC

from

> him but not the HIV ( Science should use my body) My doc says. Its because you

> are white and female, I said huh. She then explained hat HCV is much more

> contagious than HIV sexually transmitted, being white meant that I could have

> that special gene, and being a female somhow lowers your risk. I guess i say

all

> this just too say. from these 3 examples you can choose. I pick door # 1 for

you

> and hope that u do also, and with the current meds available, you have a

great

> chance of living a normal life physically, Now u must deal with the emotional

> aspect and do not let that beat you down. You can and not allow yourself

to give

> in. I remember when the Dr came into his room and offered to put him on a

> LOTTERY list and if your name was chosen you got the cocktail that case #1

got.

> He became so irrate that there was alottery for treatment, his response to the

> Dr. was No thanks, please give it to a child who has done nothing to be in

this

> situation unlike himself. What a selfLESS person he was. even in his own

dying.

> Please talk to your Dr. Mine made me get vaccinated for both hepA and HepB

> before i could even start the treatment. Prob not a bad idea for you whether

you

> do tx or not. But pls check with your Dr. You can get the vaccs at most health

> dept. I pray for you, at 66 you prob will live as long as you would have

without

> all of this. My hubby was only 38 when he passed and I only wish that the

drugs

> they have today were available to him then., maybe he would still be here with

> me.  Never give up!  Betty

>

> >