The Crazy Things People Say about Hepatitis

Have you ever had a conversation where someone was saying the most ridiculous, utterly incorrect thing about hepatitis? Sometimes it can be hard to politely interrupt. Hepatitis advocates, those blessed souls who work with the public to increase hepatitis understanding, hear their fair share of crazy myths. However, we have no problem interrupting! Here's how a recent conversation went that I had:

Me: I don't know if it's true, but I hear there's a Magnum, PI movie in the works. (OK, I admit, I'm a big Magnum, PI fan. There, I said it.)

Friend: There's a Magnum, PI movie coming out? Wow, is Tom Selleck going to be in it?

Me: I don't know--but I think Matthew McConaughey is going to be cast as Thomas Magnum. I hope the movie will at least be filmed in Hawaii. (I really did hear there was a Magnum, PI movie coming out. I can't make this stuff up.)

Friend: Ahh, Hawaii. (Smack! He kills a mosquito on his arm.) I wonder if there are mosquitoes in Hawaii. (My friend sometimes changes conversation subjects quickly. Sometimes even quicker than this.)

Me: Probably, but no big deal, though. Just wear some insect repellant.

Friend: No big deal! Don't you worry about getting HIV or something from a bite? Maybe even hepatitis?

Me: (Sigh) Not possible.

OK, so I didn't really interrupt, but we did go back and forth for several minutes more. I usually have this "mosquito" conversation once or twice each summer. Sometimes I can change their minds; sometimes not. (For the record, here are the reasons why mosquitoes don't spread viral hepatitis.) This conversation got me thinking about the crazy things people say about hepatitis. Here are some myths that I've heard. However, I'd love to hear any you've dealt with! Please share what you've heard people say to you about hepatitis.