Written By: Soumen B., Silvana L., Partizan M.
Sharing a diagnosis should not be, but often it is, a challenge. At some point it is important to tell your partner, family or friends about your hepatitis B/D status. This is an important moment for you and the people with whom you share your daily life.
Remember: Your comfort is just as important as the person you choose to talk to. You might be nervous, or you may be worried about what they will think and how they will receive the information you are about to share. You should know that not everyone will understand but you can be prepared with as much information as possible to be sure to set yourself up for success in this conversation. Know that most people do not know about hepatitis B, how it is transmitted or the health problems it causes. But for you, it is a step you should take: to live a normal life, to live honestly and to foster love and sincerity with others. For this, you need to prepare spiritually and emotionally. With preparation, this can be a moment of liberation for you. Remember: you have the right to share exactly as much as you are willing to and nothing more.
Preparing to disclose your hepatitis B and D status
Give yourself enough time to understand your emotions and to prepare for the emotions of your loved ones. Before disclosure, it might be helpful to think about the following:
- Your readiness: make sure you feel emotionally prepared to talk about your health. Disclose when you feel ready to handle a range of possible reactions.
- Their readiness: pick a moment when the other person is likely to be calm, receptive and not distracted or stressed.
- Level of trust: assess whether the person is trustworthy, empathetic and respectful of your confidentiality.
- Learn about your condition: Understand what hepatitis B/D is, how it is transmitted and how it is managed. This helps you feel more confident when talking to others.
- Write down the main things you would like to tell your person: what the disease is, how long you have known, what your condition is and what they can do to check their status.
- Read what you have written several times – how do you feel while you are talking?
Think about why you are sharing this: To protect their health? To ask for their support? Is it about transparency or deepening trust
- Talk to them and explain what you expect out of the conversation. Maybe you want them to know why you no longer drink alcohol at family gatherings or why you may need more rest than normal. Or maybe you want them to offer you their time and support so that you can talk about your fears.
- Choose a calm, private moment when you both have time to talk.
- Do not do it under pressure or during an argument.
Now imagine that you are in the role of a listener and your loved one tells you that they have hepatitis B, which you know nothing about.
- What would you like to ask them, and to know? Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes will help us to imagine their emotions, fears, denial–these are normal human reactions and they will fade away with the time and the right information given.
- Anticipate reactions: Some people may be scared at first, especially due to a lack of information. Be patient.
- They may ask you questions that you don’t have an (or don’t want to) answer–be honest and leave that part for another time.
Key points for your conversation:
- Share what hepatitis B and D are and how they affect your health. This can help your partner/family better understand the situation and reduce any uncertainties.
- Helping your person understand that it is a chronic condition that for some people requires taking a pill a day like so many other chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, can help “normalize” the disease.
- Take the time to explain that a chronic illness does not just depend on the medications you might take, but also on food, exercise, rest and your mental health.
- Talk about how this is a shared journey, and that your family members’ or partner’s collaboration will be a key to your success navigating this journey.
- How hepatitis B and D Can Be Spread: You can reassure others that there is no risk of transmission in everyday interactions like hugging, sharing food, or casual touch. Hepatitis B and D can spread through contact with blood and other bodily fluids during sexual relations and other blood-to-blood contact.
- Emphasize that there is a very safe and effective vaccine for hepatitis B, and prevention is possible.
- Check with your local health services to see how they can obtain the vaccine. It may be helpful to give them printed or online materials about the disease or show them a video of patients sharing their stories.
- You can live well with proper medical care.
For example, you might say:
“I want to share something important with you because I trust you and I want to be honest. I was recently diagnosed with hepatitis B (and I also tested positive for hepatitis delta). It’s a virus that affects the liver, but I am under medical care and taking care of myself. I didn’t choose this, but I want you to know because it’s part of my life now.”
You can also watch this storyteller video, where MD shares her experience disclosing her status to her boyfriend.
If you are afraid of a negative reaction:
- You can say it more neutrally: “I have a liver virus that I am keeping under control with the help of doctors.”
- You can ask for the help of a health care professional to clarify the situation for them.
In everyday reality, the reactions of social groups are different. This is related to various factors such as the level of education, relevant medical information, social relationships and so on. Educational and cultural backgrounds have a significant impact on how individuals and social groups understand and respond to hepatitis B and D.
- Educating your partner or family member
- Proper education can positively influence people’s attitudes. You should provide as much information as possible when disclosing your status to them. With more information, they may be more open to supporting you rather than perpetuating stigma or having discriminatory attitudes.
- By giving them enough information, they can share hepatitis B (and D) information with others, contributing to community education about both diseases, and helping to reduce fear and uncertainty.
- Explain to them that this does not have to be a one-time conversation. Reassure them that you are open to talking more about this, so they can ask their questions and start feeling comfortable.
- Cultural Beliefs and Social Norms
- Be aware and mindful of the cultural background of your partner, or the social norms of your family. This will help you navigate the conversation about your hepatitis B/D.
- In many cultures, diseases like hepatitis B and D are associated with taboos. Culture can influence how people perceive these conditions and can create an atmosphere of fear and stigmatization.
- In some cultures, there are beliefs that influence how individuals view medical treatment. For example, seeking medical care may be seen as a sign of weakness or an admission of a “problem” that could negatively affect a person’s reputation. This perception may contribute to a negative attitude toward individuals affected by hepatitis B/D.
- In some cultures, family and community can provide significant support to individuals with chronic illnesses, such as hepatitis B/D. However, in other cultures, there may be more isolation and limited help, especially if the individual faces stigma. This impacts their emotional well-being and access to treatment. While all of these experiences can happen, know that you are not alone. You can learn more about others experiences through the Hepatitis B Foundation’s storytelling program or connect with others online through the Hep B Community.
These aspects influence knowledge, attitudes, and reactions people may have toward hepatitis B/D. You deserve to be treated with respect and dignity—your life is your own, and no one has the right to diminish that. As you consider sharing your health status, it’s important to reflect on these factors and prepare for the range of responses you might encounter.
How should you prepare?
- Tell those you trust: You do not have to tell everyone.
- Focus on facts, not fear: Many people react based on the information they lack, not the facts you know.
- Find an ally in the family who can help communicate with others.
- Do not blame yourself: It’s not your fault. This is a virus – not a shame.
No matter how the conversation unfolds or what emotions surface, one thing is clear—your loved ones care deeply about your health and well-being. Speaking honestly and from the heart is always a meaningful step. What matters most is choosing the right moment and the words that feel true to you and your experience.
You can read more about the importance of disclosing your status, and advice for telling your partner or family, in this blog.