I just don't disclose my positive status anymore after being refused treatment by both a local dentist and my gynaecologist, who told me that there was more to this disease than is being revealed to the general public. I know that this is could be dangereous because of many unsafe sterilization practices in the community, however I'm really tired of being discriminated against just beacuse I have Hep C, and it always being automatically assumed that I am a injecting drug addict.

Because of my kids and my job as a solicitor in a small mid west community, I can't reveal my status at work either, mostly due to the sensational television reporting, always focused on drugs and jails, as it places me socially "on the other side." I am often so tired that I am dragging myself around the office and I'm fearful that I'll loose my job because I've had to take so much sick leave in the last year. Doctors just say that I am hiding my past.. but the truth is that I have no idea how I got the virus. I' ve only ever had 3 sexual partners, none of whom have it, absolutely no tattoos, no blood transfusions, or major accidents with blood spillage.

If HCV was not as stigmatsied and as invisible as it is, which I find hard to believe as 4 million people in this country are infected, then maybe I could reveal my status and recieve the support professional treatment necessary within my local community. As it is I am forced to consider moving to a larger city, close to my family so that I have some chance maintaining my working life as the disease progresses.

Thank you all for the support I get here on this list, it's the only place where I feel normal :)

Adele