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He Was More Afraid of People’s Reaction Than of Hepatitis C
Let’s Break It Down
When Bilal received his hepatitis C report, he did not tell his family.
The doctor had explained that treatment was available, but Bilal kept thinking about what might happen at home.
Would his family stop eating with him? Would they keep separate cups and plates? Would relatives start asking how he became infected?
He folded the report and put it inside a drawer.
Bilal is a fictional example, but the fear behind his story reflects what some patients experience.
A hepatitis C diagnosis does not tell us when or how the infection happened. The virus can enter the bloodstream through unsafe injections, unscreened blood, inadequately sterilized medical or dental equipment, or other contact with infected blood. The exposure may have happened years before the person was tested.
What the person needs at that moment is medical care—not questions that sound like an accusation.
Hepatitis C is spread through infected blood. It is not spread through ordinary family contact such as hugging, sitting together, or sharing food and drinks. There is no reason to separate someone from normal family life. Personal items that may carry blood, such as razors or toothbrushes, should not be shared.
A study of hepatitis B and C patients in Rawalpindi and Islamabad documented how deeply this fear can affect people. Some patients said relatives avoided sharing food or household items with them, while others described feeling isolated or treated differently.
A few days later, Bilal finally showed the report to his sister.
She did not ask, “How did this happen?”
She asked:
“What did the doctor advise, and how can I help?”
That response allowed him to talk about his fear. She helped him arrange his next appointment and respected his privacy.
Current hepatitis C medicines can cure more than 95% of people who receive the recommended treatment. But medicine cannot help someone who is too frightened or ashamed to return for care.
When someone tells you they have hepatitis:
Listen before asking questions.
Do not blame them.
Keep their medical information private.
Help them follow the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.
Bilal eventually took the report out of the drawer and returned to the clinic.
He did not need a long speech. He needed one person to respond without judgment.
This article is part of the SOULS World Hepatitis Day educational series supporting accurate information, respectful care and timely treatment in Pakistan.
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