For some people, the stigma of living with Hepatitis C is more harmful than the virus itself. There are two parts to breaking a disease-related stigma: education and self-respect. So Hepatitis C can be removed from the category of socially unacceptable conditions.

The primary reasons for any condition to be stigmatized are the lack of compassion, fear and ignorance.
• Fear of Transmission – People are afraid of getting the infectious disease. Although not easily transmitted, people are nevertheless fearful and may shun those who have the disease.
• Fear of Illness – Some people do not like to be around people who are sick. Being uncomfortable is how certain people protect themselves from their personal fears.
• Judgment – People sometimes assume that everyone with Hepatitis C has a history of injection drug use. Those without personal exposure to injected drugs may judge people who have.

Education

Any social stigma finds its roots in fear of the unknown. Many Americans have misconceptions about the way Hepatitis C is transmitted. A person without firsthand experience with Hepatitis C may mistakenly assume it can be transmitted through sharing a glass of water or even from being coughed or sneezed on by an infected person. Until all reaches of society learn the facts about this virus, inaccurate stereotypes fueled by fear will persist.

Educating yourself and others will break down the stigma associated with Hepatitis C. Many communities have Hepatitis C task forces to promote community awareness. Getting involved with Hepatitis C informational training sessions targeting local schools, hospitals, drug treatment programs, government agencies and similar community organizations will fill replace fear with knowledge, helping to remove the negative perspectives about this disease.

Self-Respect

If you have Hepatitis C, the first step in breaking the stigma is to start with your own attitude toward your illness. Some questions to ask in uncovering this include:

• Do you label yourself as a sick person?
• Do you expect to be shunned from co-workers, friends and family?
• Do you feel like you deserve to have Hepatitis C?

Honestly examining your own feelings of shame and working to shift those feelings into pride makes a tremendous difference when facing the world with any illness. Living in the present and looking to the future are the best ways to leave negativity in the past. In order to garner the respect from others, it is absolutely necessary to first develop respect for yourself. Additionally, feeling good is the single most important factor in living a long, healthy and rewarding life. Below are nine tips for developing a healthy attitude:

1. Make sure you know the truth. Get accurate information about Hepatitis C. Some people mistakenly believe Hepatitis C is an automatic death sentence. The truth is, the majority will die with Hepatitis C, not of Hepatitis C.
2. Don’t make things worse by imagining a future with pain, disability or loss. Visualizing health, not illness, is a powerful tool for self-transformation.
3. Maintain perspective of the big picture. Focus your attention on something that brings peace, joy, laughter and meaning. Tell yourself that difficult moments will pass.
4. Watch your words. If you hear yourself talking negatively, substitute positive phrases. Say, “I will find a way to live with Hepatitis C” rather than “Hepatitis C is ruining my life.”
5. Practice gratitude. Make it a habit to find things for which you are grateful.
6. Learn what you can control and what you cannot. There are things you cannot control, such as the fact that you have Hepatitis C. However, there are things you can control, such as your attitude and what you say to yourself about having Hepatitis C.
7. Learn from the virus. Ask yourself what Hepatitis C can teach you about living.
8. Get support. Being with others who are dealing with the same issues can bring encouragement and hope.
9. Help others. When it comes to stepping outside of ourselves, probably nothing works as well as reaching out to others who are also struggling.