Testing Hesitancy

Hi , thank you for starting a discussion around this important issue. I'm curious to hear thoughts from the community on this. Today is actually also Hepatitis Testing Day!


For everyone, I imagine the reasons can be a bit different: hepatitis C doesn't always show symptoms and many people may not know that they have an active liver infection. The threat or fear of stigma is also very real for many patients–I have heard from many people in the community who joined after being recently diagnosed, and were terrified of sharing the news and next steps with treatment.


It's important to create spaces where people are comfortable and feel encouraged to share their hep C experiences and questions. Only through sharing our stories and showing support can we breakdown the stigma and walls created by misunderstanding. At least, this is my opinion: that it's importance to share information about hep C advocacy and testing, and patient hardships and experiences. In doing so, we can make shifts in our communities that allow us to better support people living with hep C.


-Matt (Community Member)

People are sometimes reluctant to receive treatment for hepatitis C due to cultural, social, or economic stigma. Usually, hepatitis C symptoms don’t appear until years after being in contact, whether through a bad blood transfusion, drug usage, or STD. By encouraging people to get tested for treatment, bringing awareness such as pamphlets in the communities people live in, as well as, supporting people through Hep C support groups, people may be more inclined to seek the treatment for hepatitis C.