Quite often the partner is afraid of catching the disease. In these cases it is important that accurate information reaches the people in question quickly. I have also had experience with people who had the problem that while the information talked to the partner's reason, it did not necessarily reach the emotions, at least not straight away. We know that it can take a while for the newly diagnosed to adjust to the new reality. Partners can need time to adjust, too.
Many people fear contagious diseases.
They think that just the presence of an infected person is enough to catch the illness. Sometimes we have to face problems which are similar to the HIV scare of the 1980s. We have to inform people that you cannot catch HCV through breath, kisses or physical contact, through sharing cups and crockery or by sitting on the same toilet sit. We have to tell that sexual transmission is unlikely. Another scenario is the prejudice that all liver diseases are due to alcohol abuse, thus having hepatitis serves you right for boozing too much.