When you think having a disease is ‘punishment’ for past behavior

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While some diseases, such as cancer, elicit instant sympathy and caring, others, like hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, and mental illness are often shrouded in shame, fear, and misunderstanding.

In fact, according to a survey by the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), more than 90 percent of countries report some degree of stigma and discrimination against those with viral hepatitis (primarily hepatitis C and B), which affects 325 million people globally. And, according to the report, having a disease that’s viewed as something to be ashamed of has far-reaching effects on a person’s life.

“In 2017, we surveyed civil society organizations from 72 countries to better understand experiences of stigma and discrimination across the world,” Michael Ninburg, president of World Hepatitis Alliance, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “The findings show that stigma not only affects an individual’s ability to access diagnostics and treatment but also impacts their personal life, mental health and ability to work, learn, and maintain relationships.”

Part of the reason why there’s shame associated with hepatitis C in particular is that, in many countries, the disease is closely linked with injection drug use, which carries its own stigma. “Injection drug use is one of the risk factors for hepatitis C, and the stigma with drug use in our society unfortunately gets transferred to patients with hepatitis C,” Andrew Muir, MD, a member of the American Liver Foundation’s national medical advisory committee, tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

However, sharing needles is only one of several ways that hepatitis C is transmitted.