Hepatitis Community

I'm 28; just found out last year, after my mom was diagnosed in 2010. The theory is that she contracted it in the 70s and it was transmitted to me due to complications during my delivery, but who knows, really? I do experience quite a few symptoms, so it has likely been here for a while.

I've had an incredibly difficult time accepting this as a part of who I am, and it only seems to be getting harder for me. I guess my question is just, besides dealing with the everyday symptoms, how on earth are you supposed to tell people about it?

I have been trying to date, and now on top of being tasked with telling people that I'm a 28 year old who's never even been in a long-term relationship, let alone sexually active with anyone, I have to somehow tell them that I also carry this disease that they solidly, mistakenly believe is only carried by people who've in some way "been around". There are so many misconceptions, and it's incredibly scary to think about how people might react. For a time I even considered telling nobody ever (and just using protection at all times etc.), but I don't think I could live with that level of deception for long. Agh, it's just so hard.

And now I feel so hopeless sometimes, like if I ever had anything to offer a relationship... I really don't anymore. My doctor keeps saying stuff like "when someone falls in love with you, it won't matter"... but I just can't believe that enough to tell even my closest friends, never mind the guys I've been dating recently. I feel so trapped, and alone Any wisdom/advice would be much appreciated.