Wall of Stories snapshots
“Late diagnosis left
me with cirrhosis”
Together, our stories
can change the way
the world sees viral
hepatitis. The stories
of those living with
or impacted by
viral hepatitis can
help educate and
raise awareness,
provide support
and inspiration,
tackle stigma and
discrimination, and
highlight the true
impact of this global
disease.
Each month we share the story
of someone whose life has been
affected by viral hepatitis. This
month, we hear from Rosario
Hermida from Uruguay who was
living with hepatitis C for years
unaware and is now fighting for her
right to receive treatment.
14 hep Voice April 2018
Rosario
“Hello, I’m Rosario, I’m 56 and I
have hepatitis C. How did I get it? I
don’t know! But I know I contracted
it a long time ago. It was most likely
through a blood transfusion and by
thinking that, I have freed myself
from stigma. My diagnosis was by
complete chance and late – I now
have cirrhosis of the liver.
After I received my diagnosis, I
felt pain and loneliness. People
with hepatitis C continuing to be
discriminated against. Personally,
as a healthcare professional, I was
forced to leave my job. This was
something that really affected me
because it was my profession and
my job for many years - 25 years!
When I received the diagnosis,
I approached the Asociación de
Pacientes Afectados con la Hepatitis
(APAHE) and I found out that there
is a treatment that cures 90% of
cases. And now I’m here, part
of the association, fighting and
demanding the treatment. It is my
constitutional right to receive fair
treatment!”
Watch Rosario’s full video story
here.
We welcome stories from
every corner of the globe and
from all those impacted by
viral hepatitis; from patients
to family members, medical
professionals and policy
makers - viral hepatitis has a
unique experience of each of
our lives. Share your story to
our Wall of Stories here and
help to change the way the
world sees viral hepatitis.
April 2018 15
hep Voice