Hello everyone 
First of all, I’m really glad I found this community. I want to thank those who created it and everyone here who offers support.
I just can’t stop reading other people’s stories in this community… Here’s mine…
I’m a 22-year-old male living in Italy, originally from the Balkans. About a year and a half ago, I found out I was positive for hepatitis B. It happened right after I arrived here to study in pharmaceutical field—I had even already booked the vaccine. But during the blood tests required by the university for lab access, I discovered I already had the virus. It was a huge shock, something I never expected. Since then, it hasn’t been easy.
I put my studies on hold for a while and started researching more about the condition, constantly going back and forth between fear and hope. The first six months were especially difficult, waiting to confirm whether it had become chronic. After all the check-ups, I’m grateful that everything is okay with my liver and enzymes.
The hardest part has been feeling alone in this. In Italy the virus has very low prevalence (1%). But the doctors have been very friendly and supportive.
For a few months around the New Year, I thought I was doing better after talking with my doctor and taking some supplements and medication to calm myself. I felt like I had made some peace with it( maybe i was just avoiding all this out of fear). But recently, I’ve been feeling mentally low again—especially because I’m struggling with whether or not to tell my parents. They have no idea what I’m going through. They just ask about my studies, but they don’t know the real situation.
I keep asking myself: why me? When did I get the virus, at birth or later? Talking to my parents would be i huge relief for me – i hope. Even though I know it wouldn’t change anything, I still feel the need to share this with them.
I made sure my siblings were vaccinated against hepatitis B—my sister got the vaccine last year (she’s 20 and was not previously infected).
I’m also stressed about my studies since I’ve fallen behind. I’m having trouble concentrating, with racing thoughts all the time. I feel hope when I read about new treatments being studied, but also fear—fear of the virus becoming active, of treatment resistance, or things not working. Even doing check-ups every 6–12 months feels stressful, like waiting for something to happen.
I had heard about this community before but didn’t participate because I thought it wasn’t very active. Now, reading your stories, I can’t explain how it feels—it’s emotional in a good way, realizing I’m not alone. I’m writing this in tears.
Sorry for the long post. I’d really love to hear your stories too.
People at my age, those who found out young, or anyone dealing with hepB. Maybe living in Italy? How did you tell your parents or your partner? Even just a short reply would mean a lot to me.
Thank you <3