#BtheVoice Video Library
The B the Voice story bank is a global effort to elevate the voices of those living with hepatitis B. It’s a compliment to the #justB storytelling campaign that focuses on the U.S. Each story is unique and is told by a person living with hepatitis B. Many of the topics covered by the storytellers include stigma, discrimination, access to healthcare and more.
Naume’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
Naume discovered she had hepatitis B during an antenatal visit when routine tests were conducted. Initially shocked by the diagnosis, she received ongoing support from her doctor and family, especially her husband. Despite challenges in accessing medication due to financial constraints, Naume remains resilient. She emphasizes the importance of seeking medical advice and the vital role of family support, particularly for married couples, where one partner may be affected by hepatitis B. Naume wants others to know that with proper care and support, living with hepatitis B is manageable.
Susan’s story of living with hepatitis B in Taiwan
Susan found out that she had hepatitis B during her pregnancy check-up. Later, her parents and husband were all found to have either hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or both. Luckily, her parents were successfully cured of the infections, and her husband is on long-term antiviral therapy. They all have healthy liver conditions and she hope that everyone with hepatitis B (or C) can have access to treatment. Hepatitis B is the main cause of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Early treatment of hepatitis B can reduce the risk of liver diseases.
Rolex’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
Rolex describes his life with hepatitis B in the local language spoken in Uganda. He describes how he first found out about hepatitis B and the impacts it had on his life.
Esther’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
Esther describes her life with hepatitis B in the local language spoken in Uganda. She describes how she first found out about hepatitis B and the impacts it had on her life.
Yasmin’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
Yasmin describes her life with hepatitis B in the local language spoken in Uganda. She describes how she first found out about hepatitis B and the impacts it had on her life.
Bridget’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
Bridget describes her life with hepatitis B in the local language spoken in Uganda. She describes how she first found out about hepatitis B and the impacts it had on her life.
Matthew’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
Matthew describes his life with hepatitis B in the local language spoken in Uganda. He describes how he first found out about hepatitis B and the impacts it had on his life.
Abby’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
Abby talks about her journey from initial symptoms to discovering she had hepatitis B. Abby discusses how the diagnosis impacted her life, the lifestyle changes she made to manage her condition, and the challenges she faced, including stigma and limitations on travel. Abby emphasizes the importance of regular check-ups and shares an encouraging message about living a normal life with proper management
Susan’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
Susan shares her experience of being diagnosed with hepatitis B during a government testing and vaccination program. Initially, she did not fully understand the disease and took it lightly. However, a subsequent test three years later revealed that the disease persisted, which significantly impacted her. With proper medical guidance and effective medication, Susan's health improved, although the cost of treatment remains a challenge. She emphasizes that hepatitis B is not a death sentence and encourages others to stay strong, follow medical advice, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Stanly’s story of living with hepatitis B in Taiwan
Stanly discovered he had chronic hepatitis B during a health check in vocational school, but did not pay much attention to it. Before his military service, his liver function test showed abnormal results, but he had no symptoms and remained unconcerned. It wasn't until he started working that he experienced two episodes of acute hepatitis, with symptoms like loss of appetite and jaundice. After recovering from two hospitalizations, he seemed to be fine. Over the next ten years, a company health check revealed cirrhosis and moderate fatty liver. Stanly then successfully lost weight and eliminated the fatty liver, and has continued antiviral treatment for hepatitis B to this day.
Silvio’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda (Local Language)
Silvio describes his life with hepatitis B in the local language spoken in Uganda. He describes how he first found out about hepatitis B and the impacts its had on his life.
Debo’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
Debo describes his life with hepatitis B in the local language spoken in Uganda. He describes how he first found out about hepatitis B and the impacts its had on his life.
Diane’s story of living with hepatitis B in the Philippines
Diane shares her journey of living with Hepatitis B, starting from her diagnosis at 18 while applying for a job to her experiences during her pregnancies. She discusses the challenges she faced and how she found support through the Yellow Warrior Society Philippines. Diane highlights the importance of education, awareness, and vaccination to prevent Hepatitis B. Learn about her advocacy work and how she now volunteers to spread awareness and support others facing similar challenges.
Kattah’s story of living with hepatitis B in Ghana
Kattah's journey with hepatitis B began in 2012. Since then, he has regularly monitored his liver health and faced significant stigma from family members due to misunderstandings about how hepatitis B is transmitted. This stigma and discrimination have been a challenging part of his experience.
Recently, Kattah received a job offer but was rejected because of his hepatitis B status. Despite these setbacks, he is committed to improving his lifestyle by avoiding alcohol and drugs, exercising, and maintaining a balanced diet. Kattah's story highlights that people living with chronic hepatitis B can live long and healthy lives if they manage their condition well.
He urges policymakers to develop policies that support individuals with hepatitis B. Watch Kattah's inspiring journey and learn more about living with and managing hepatitis B.
Joseph’s story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
Joseph shares his emotional journey after being diagnosed with hepatitis B during a job application process for a position in Iraq. After rigorous medical tests, Joseph and a colleague received the devastating news that they had the virus, which disqualified them from the job. Faced with this life-changing diagnosis, Joseph fell into despair and turned to alcohol, choosing to keep his condition a secret from everyone, including his family. In a country with limited specialized medical care, Joseph's struggle became even more challenging, especially after losing his brother to the same disease. Despite these hardships, Joseph learned that it is possible to live with hepatitis B with proper care and support. This powerful story highlights the importance of online resources in managing hepatitis B. Interviewers: National Organisation for People Living with Hepatitis B (NOPLHB) https://noplhb.org/
Prince’s story of living with hepatitis B in Nigeria
In 2017, Prince organized a blood drive in his local community. During the screening process, he discovered he was unable to donate blood due to a diagnosis of hepatitis B. Initially, he struggled to come to terms with this news and felt lost navigating his condition. Recognizing the lack of awareness and resources in his community, Prince was inspired to take action. He founded a local organization to collaborate with the government and educate others about hepatitis B. Today, Prince works closely with the Hepatitis B Foundation, sharing his story and empowering others living with viral hepatitis.
Lynette’s story of living with hepatitis B in Taiwan
Lynette discovered she had hepatitis B during a health check-up at nursing school before her hospital internship. She was the only one in her family with the virus. Five years ago, she faced a dilemma about whether to start treatment, as her liver test results were normal. Ultimately, she decided to proceed with antiviral treatment. Lynette is grateful to her doctors for their support, especially as she was later diagnosed with breast and thyroid cancers.
Jason’s story of living with hepatitis B in Taiwan
Jason contracted Hepatitis B and C due to a bone marrow transplant at a young age. Despite undergoing interferon treatment 12 years ago, he was unable to clear the viruses. Six years later, he successfully cured his hepatitis C using self-procured generic direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). To celebrate curing HCV, he went on a trip to Japan with his family, but fell ill upon arrival. He promptly returned to Taiwan and was hospitalized for acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B and was prepared for a liver transplantation.
Cosmin’s story of living with hepatitis B in Romania
Cosmin faced a childhood marked by a hepatitis B diagnosis at the age of one. Despite a lack of symptoms and no family history, frequent hospital visits became a routine, shaping his early years. His parents tried their best to protect Cosmin from stigma and discrimination by keeping his diagnosis a secret. After going through interferon treatment, Cosmin was able to go back to a normal life. He strongly believes that people living with hepatitis B should do their best to educate themselves about treatment and prevention. He is hopeful that there will be a functional cure for hepatitis B in the future.
Denis’ story of living with hepatitis B in Uganda
After a routine test at a free community service, Denis received shocking news: he tested positive for hepatitis B. Denis was confused as to how he got hepatitis B while his family tested negative. He started treatment in 2019 and faced challenges like transportation to doctor appointments along the way. As of now, his care and treatment are free. Denis believes it is important to be proactive about getting tested for hepatitis B and seeking professional medical care.