Tarmogen Vaccine, GI-5005, increased virologicl response in phase II trial.

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852576140048867C8525770D0067832B

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Does anyone live in his district? We’d like to contact him and have him join our cause.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2010448602_apusgeorgiacongressmanhepatitis.html

Once I was aware of my condition, I began to notice fear, uncertainty, depression, lack of motivation to engage in social activities and an overall negative attitude.  I would have thoughts and feelings like “what woman will want to date me with this disease” or “my family won’t want me to touch their kids”.  In my case, this was a major blow because I am outgoing and very social.  Some of the best things about my personality are nurtured and cultivated from social interactions.  I love spending time with other people and I didn’t want that to change.  However, I noticed I was retreating more from society because I didn’t know how to handle it.  As I became more isolated and longing for the life I used to have, it began to dawn on me that I cannot live a happy existence alone most of the time.  So I decided to do something about it.  I have learned I can’t change how other people feel about my condition, but I can change the people I associate with.  It may sound harsh, but we all need to clean out the wardrobe sometimes.  Today I live my life with people who understand me and the disease.  I don’t have to keep explaining to them every subtlety of hepatitis C.  I have decided not to accept scorn in my personal relationships.  What I have found is an increased feeling of happiness and confidence when people around me accept me the way I am.

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Hello everyone. I am a patient who has had Hepatitis C for over 20 years.  I have learned quite a few things about it.  One of those things is the stigma that is attached to the disease.  Because Hep C is a blood disease, obviously needles are a major source of transmission.  IV drug use is illegal (as we all know) and is instantly associated with anyone who has contracted Hepatitis C.  I did not become infected with the disease through IV drug use.  Probably most people with hep C didn’t either.  I think it’s unfortunate that we are automatically put in the category of drug user because it makes people afraid to seek out information.

I have been afraid to ask questions many times because I didn’t want people to think I was an addict.  Any time I fill out a job application, I feel the stinging stigma of having a communicable disease such as hep c.  You know the questions that ask about your health or any conditions that may affect your job?  I am instantly having a debate in my head “should I tell them, what if other people at the office find out and nobody wants to work with me”.  I can’t help but wonder if at some point they would fire me because someone else objects to me working there.  If I decide not to disclose my condition, this puts me in a position where I can’t ask for time off or other accommodations that I may need.

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