Stigma & healthcare: Should you disclose your hepatitis status?

Judith Gorst works at the Prahran Market Clinic as a Practice Nurse and Counsellor. She is in daily contact with people who have been affected by HIV and hepatitis C. In her Stigma Story, Judith unpacks the difficulties that stigma adds to an already complex situation for many of her patients who are living with a blood borne virus. Judith talks about the stress and uncertainty her patients often experience when it comes to disclosing to family, friends, employers, and others in the community. She highlights the importance of considering the positives and negatives that could come from disclosing your status to someone, and to recognise that most people don’t actually have to tell anyone - if they choose not to. This realisation is often an important first step in regaining autonomy and self-determination over a one’s condition.