Disclosing CHB in Casual Relationships

@Fckhbvstigma
Well I married and had three children!
When I told my future husband, he couldn’t care less. He loved me. When you love someone , nothing will stand in your way to be with them.
He went on to have the vaccinations and we didn’t really talk about it. Too busy with love. :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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For example when you are already In relationships and find out occasionally, then yes there is a chance that you will be accepted, but not when you want to be honest in the beginning. Then you’re immediately given a “no”.

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@Fckhbvstigma

Of course they would run. I would too.
Having Hep B is not a death sentence or of much inconvenience. I can think of worse illnesses to have like asthma, diabetes, depression. Would you greet future spouses with hello I’ve got asthma diabetes. you sort conversations, later when there’s more of a bond. I kinda understand what you mean because I’m in the later stages of my life and I would not want to have someone that I have to look after . But having Hep B doesn’t mean you need looking after.
For medical staff to treat you like you say, is unacceptable and unprofessional.
I just had surgery. The day after the surgery surgeon came in and said he had scratched himself while he was cutting me open. He was very calm and just wanted to know whether I was active or in active. I was horrified my worst nightmare of passing that disease onto someone else.!
Is there another medical facility you can go to that doesn’t treat you that way?
Sorry you are going through this.

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This has not been quite my experience. I told my current wife that I was Hep B positive within 3 hours of meeting her for the first time. It came up when she asked me what I research in the lab. She (as with @Caraline’s partner) didn’t care at all, checked her antibody levels, and we just went ahead with dating.

My dating life before that was also not affected really by Hep B (except for the fears I put in my own head about it). I feel like this was because I was empowered with information to slowly and carefully explain that they could easily protect themselves from transmission.

I completely understand that there are many health care professionals out there with poor attitudes towards people with hepatitis B. We are all trying to change it bit by bit.

But I do want to clarify that the risk of liver cancer is not guaranteed and can be reduced by consistent monitoring and treatment when needed to prevent any disease progression.

Hope this helps,
Thomas

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Hi @Caraline,
I hope you are doing well. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Bansah1

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Hi there I just hope that we can push our voices out there to rectify the mistakes. Most of us affected could have avoided this is the right information was out there. W.H.O is to be responsible for this over 40 years this could have been a mandatory vaccination to everyone like the yellow fever vaccine for everyone traveling. I only knew of HIV and that was the only test I had done when no one was pushing for this HBV even with a vaccine around that is bad W.H.O should act now to save others from been in this. I have lost myself and do not even know the days of the week. What can we do next?

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Thank you @Bansah1
I see the surgeon this morning. I hope he’s ok.

Hello @Tonyrog
I agree on everyone having the vaccine. I know in Australia they are trying to eradicate HBV.
I’m confused by you not knowing the days of the week. What does that have to do with HBV?

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Hi there just to say I am worried in simple words confusion.
Hope you understand me know

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I totally get where you are coming from. It does suck and guessing you are a man(male). For women, it’s easier to get into a relationship, because…well they are women and men are more willing to overlook it.

It brutal 1000% honest words, go work on yourself and get rich, start working out. If you’re working out now, do it harder. Eat better. You have to 2+ times better than a guy without hepatitis B. So if your friend is 30 years of age and making $100k USD, tyen you need to make $150-200+ k a year and be in better shape. Women need to see value beyond the hepatitis status. Not to say anything negative about women, but women will make rules for people they don’t like or respect as much and break rules for a man she liked.

Start working on yourself now. It ll be the hardest thing you ll do. Anyone will do. Like David Goggins says, dare to disappear for 6 months and work on yourself. I think you will see results. Then there always website to date overseas.

Married with 3 kids myself. By grace of god nobody is infected but myself with hepatitis B. I found out after I had my kids. Looking back, if I knew about my hepatitis b in my teens, my family or my life would probably be a 100% different. I know where you’re coming from.

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Hey! I’m not in the position of not knowing about my condition, therefore for me it’s not an excuse. I have to disclose. I’m too honest and empathetic. Not all people are, but I’m not covering thing that can cause problem in a future, because I have dignity. I’m a woman and my experience was no matter how good I’m I still was rejected because of my status. That’s the reality and I can understand people why it’s better not to be involved with hbv positive. It’s a stigma and no one cares how you got it, it’s just the fact that you are contagious. I know everything about this condition, but only because I have it. As for work 3 time more that other, well, my friend, the truth is I don’t have such energy as healthy people, I can force myself, which I do, but it’s pretty noticeable that I’m weaker tree times than heathy ppl.

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Hello,

I’m not able to access my computer often. These are understandable feelings, all medical professionals I have seen have been understanding and kind. The very few that seemed to have prejudice are probably not even bothered by my HBV diagnosis and are probably not having a good day.

From my experience I think since Gastrologists treats many patients and most have illnesses that presents really serious symptoms, most Gastrologists don’t treat Hep. B as a “serious” disease from the urgency for care standpoint.

I hope you can overcome the feeling of having no control over your health. Most people that have chronic Hep. B have no symptoms and it doesn’t cause any immediate concerns to your health. Most Hep. B carriers live healthy lives, especially if treatment is available. You also have no obligation to disclose your status unless you are in a serious relationship, by then you will have a better grasp of the type of person you are disclosing the condition to and how they may react.

“I’m too honest and empathetic”
You have to be empathetic to yourself! It’s super important, you are number 1. Once you figure that out, then you can be empathetic to others.

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We all feel like we are a ticking time bomb. Everytime I have a check up, I am scared of the news.

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Dear @Tonyrog,

It’s my understanding that the WHO does not have any mechanisms to make anything mandatory, this is all done on a country or state level. The WHO has provided support and information where it can, but it is constrained by what it can do politically and financially.

To everyone in this thread, thank you for sharing your experiences so openly and honestly. You may not realise it, but your words are incredibly valuable to people out there and are helping them feel less alone.

Thomas

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Yes I understand that feeling all to well. It’s like being on a roller coaster every six months 4-6 months. Getting referrals, making appointments for blood tests, ultrasound then going back for results. And I would fall into depression.
Lately, I’ve been feeling like, whatever! Whatever will be, will be. I’m not going to let it rule my life.
I actually got my results today from the doctor blood test. He said this is good that’s good that’s a little bit out but it’s only one of the three markers so that’s okay. This is good that’s good. Your fibro score is 2.6 and blah blah blah and I thought whatever. Usually I would ask him for a print out of the results take it home and scrutinise it. If I saw anything out of the ordinary I would freak think that’s it. I’m on my way to Liver cancer.
I can only do my best and leave the rest to God. I can’t believe I’m saying this……there’s bigger things to worry about than something that might not happen!
Remember only a small percentage get liver cancer.

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Totally agree. Congrats on your great results! When I got “good to go” results in the past, I alway felt relieved and normal. lol.

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Thank you @NeptuneJ
Relieved for 4 months then the tests start all over again.! I like your positivity. I haven’t had my ultrasound yet. Not for another 3 weeks. Hospital has been booked out. I used to be able to go to private hospital for free but now they have started to charge hundreds dollars.
Next round I will be more proactive book early. I’m grateful to be getting tests free.
I feel for others having this cost twice a year.

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