please

Hi im actually a registered nurse i have hep B.and im applying for a job as a nurse and they require me to have medical certificate . so if im positive with hep b cant i work as a nurse? please help me.

[sallyo]

I am not a nurse but I do work in a hospital and have direct patient contact.  My employee clinic is aware of my condition as it is required that it be reported.  The information is confidential and known by only the clinic. As long as you use common sense precations( universal) you are no threat to your patients or fellow staff.  As a nurse your skills are very much needed and I believe those of us afflicted with disease can be better care givers and exhibit compassion that others can not.  Please do not be afraid.  Disclose openly your illness and do not be ashamed.  You have been chosen to do this good work
   On the sinical (sp) side I beleive HR needs to know also to prevent future workmans comp accusations since medical wokers are in a known high risk profession for contracting HIV and hepatitis.

[Kalio1]

Sally, you have HCV, right? I think Wowo said she has Hep B. Wowo, I would think that if you are contagious, then it will present a problem. This board deals primarily with Hep C not Hep B but there are a few people here that are knowledgable about Hep B that might be able to help you. I know my sister is an RN and she had to be vaccinated for Hep B for work but as to people that already have it, Im not sure how they handle it. Both Hep B and C are reportable to the Health Dept. as both are communicable diseases. Do you take medications for it now? I think first you'd have to determine your status of Hep B and then go from there and check the hospital's hiring policies.
Sorry you are going through such a stressful event.

Sally, I hope you are doing OK and treatment isn't too hard on you!

[Evannescence]

Do you have the job yet, because they are likely to test for Hep B, on your application, in which case, you would probably be prevented from working in certain areas of practice.  Please, if I'm wrong, someone please correct me.  I really hope it works out well for you.  xx Elaine.

[Evannescence]

I didnt think Hep C was a notifiable disease.  Neither is HIV.  I'm not sure if "reportable" is the same thing though.  As a nurse, Wowo, you know that the precautions you take are AS IF anyone had a blood borne disease. All doctors and nurses and dentists and certain health professionals know how to protect their patients and themselves, using techniques they know like the backs of their hands.   But Hep B might be different from Hep C.  So check it out.  If it cannot be passed through handling and through the air, and in food,  then why actually divulge that you have it?  Dont lose your job over this.  We need you too much.

[cally44]

Is it common for people who have Hep B to get hungry often?  Does the liver (and it's effect on hep b) have some connection to the stomach?  I am wondering b/c I get hungry a lot even if I have just ate, and i'm not overweight but I sometimes wonder if it has an effect on my hep b.

Also, if your dna is low and alt and ast are low, isn't there a small possibility to get cirrosis (cirrhosis) or fibrosis or even liver cancer?  Do inactive carriers have a small chance of that happening compared to active carriers.

Thankx