Will Fire Department hire w/ Hep-B ?

Hello,

Does anybody know if a city Fire Department will hire a new recruit, that tests positive for Hep-B ?

I am 34 yrs old now, but years ago....when I was a junior in High School, I donated blood to the American Red Cross, during a blood drive.  Several weeks later, I got a letter in the mail, telling me I had Hepatitis-B.  This was NEWS to me....  Quite a surprise.

My mom was all concerned.  We visited the doctor.  They did a liver biopsy.  They said there was some scar tissue, but it looks like my liver had recovered.  I don't know how I could have contracted Hep-B.  

I was born in Poland.  I was adopted by American citizens (my new parents).  I'm pretty certain my doctor told me that I was a chronic carrier.  I did not exhibit any signs or problems, but I was told that I could pass this to someone else, who hasn't been vaccinized.  

About a year ago, my cousin's wife, who is also from Poland, was reading some of the original documents, related to my adoption in 1975.  One booklet had some info about some health related problem I apparently had, when I was about 1 year old.  It said I had anemia.  I'm not sure if I might have had a blood transfusion during this time.  I think it's possible.  I also wonder if I contracted Hep-B, from my biological mother.  

I have been preparing for this exam with the Fire Department, but I just remembered my old history, with Hep-B.  I was wondering if there are new drugs out there today, that would somehow allow my body to get-past this chronic carrier status.  Could something be done  ?    shots, pills or otherwise ?   I thought I read a few articles, that mentioned taking pills for 52 weeks or taking shots for 16 weeks.   I'd prefer to go the quick route (if this is even possible).

At the same time, does anybody know if a Fire Department would screen successful candidates and exclude someone, that tested positive for Hep-B ?    I think most FireFighters also function as EMT's these days, so the job probably would entail more than fighting fires.  CPR could be an issue.  I would hate to waste 3 or 4 months studying for the test, preparing for the interview panel, background investigation, fitness test and psychological exam........only to get eliminated after the physical.

I also wouldn't want to be a burden to some department.  If I got hired on, I'm not sure how comfortable I would feel, if co-workers found out about my situation.  It might be a little akward:  "That's the new guy other there....the guy with Hepatitis."

[kcrandy]

have you tried calling their human resouces dept anonomously and asking them that way.

i would suggest you keep researching as much about hep-b and i am not positive because i am a hep-c person, but i have read in here that there are treatments and good info to be had.

i would also check the forums out i think there is a hep-b group that deals with hep-b issues as well.

and thank you for wanting to be a fireman for your city and wanting to not only put your life on the line but wanting to make sure you will not be a danger to  ( hep-b )  those you might have to rescue.  

Thank You

[stevenNYer]

I would think and hope so.  Having HepB doesn't put others at any elevated risk if you are putting out a fire.  I know doctors who have HepB.  So I would think that Fire Dept shouldn't be a problem.  But that''s my personal guess.

It sound like you were infected at a very young age, then you are likely chronic.  

Unfortunately, once HepB become a chronic infection, there's no cure.  Very few will clear a chronic infection, like 1%.   Medication is aimed to suppressing virus replication.  The fewer the virus, the less damage to liver.

If you are chronic, you need to monitor your disease, if it's an active disease or become actives, you may benefit from treatment.  Talk to a knowlegeable doctor about monitoring your disease, don't take chances.

Good luck.

[mar148]

I believe there are laws against discriminating against people with hep c and can not be used as a basis for not hiring you.

[wed1942]

I think about changing jobs too and wonder if it would hinder my being hired. What I'm really concerned about is if they would give me health insurance. Hep C makes for a whopping big pre existing condition. Seems like I heard that they had to cover you if you went from one group to another but I'm not sure. Have you thought about that? And I agree with the discrimination thing. Just think about the folks wth HIV and what a stink was raised about them being fired, etc. because of their diagnosis. Not like you're going to be giving anyone some of your blood any time soon. And any job where you are exposed to body fluids, ie if you were an EMT, you would be wearing the usual protective equipment (gloves, masks, gowns, etc.) to protect you and the patient.

[jack1642]

I guess you are chronic if you were infected as a child. I think stevenNY has spelt it all to you.

You will need a hepatologist to access and prescribe treatment if need be. It is unfortunate there is no cure for this disease but, there are treatment that would help lower your viral load considerably.

Avoid alcohol if you drink. Alcohol itself causes damage to the liver and you wouldn't want to stress it.

I wonder if you will be rejected because of your condition.
I wish you well.

[NorthwestOhio]

Thanks for alll the replies.  

kCrandy:  I'm probably going to contact a local attorney.  Perhaps they could give me an answer, and maybe contact the city Human Resources department.  This way I know in advance, what the major issues and obstacles might be.  

The attorney could also serve as a buffer doing the asking for me.  I wouldn't consider asking the HR department myself, and give up my identity.  

SteveNYer:  You're right..  I should be monitoring my situation more closely.  I haven't been to a doctor in several years.  I've always been pretty healthy.  I don't take any meds.  I haven't even taken an aspiran, since 1991.  Last time I had my liver enzyme levels checked, it was 7 or 8 years ago.  I shouldn't be so casual......about my health.

Mar148:  You mentioned laws against discrimination.  I think you're correct.  It looks like some ADA laws address this very issue.  Hopefully an attorney can help interpret the law for me.  

Wed1942:  Sorry....I don't know the correct answer to the question regarding insurance.  

[NorthwestOhio]

Jack1642:  I don't drink alcohol too often.  I don't even drink soda-pop.  That might sound odd, but my 3-year anniversary (being soda-free), will be May 31st.....a few months away.  I never have beer in my fridge.  I do drink a lot of tea and water.

I do occassionally drink 1 or 2 beers, if I go to lunch with a couple co-workers.  I never have more than 2 beers in 1 sitting.  I don't drink hard liquor.  Sometimes I can go a couple months without a beer.  Then maybe in 1 month, I go to lunch 2 or 3 times a month (during the summer).  All totaled, I am sure I drink just under 25 beers in a year.  

I don't know if even this is too much...  

[stevenNYer]

The symptom-free-ness is what makes HepB so deadly in the sense.  It give a false sense of security.  While you feel great...the virus is doing its thing.  Keep in mind that most of us find out by accident.  Heck, I found out at the peak of health...felt great..want to join company gym...need MD clearance...JUST a that time, blood test indicated a FLARE and the rest is history.  What?  What the hell is HepB,  found this forum looking for answers, and here I am now.  Still doing grat but in treatment.  Prior to my wanting to join company gym I had annual physicals / blood test, but it always missed it because ALT while a little high was still in range.  Please do follow up.  Good luck.

[jdwithhcv]

Two pieces of federal legislation protect you here.  One is the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the other is the Health Insurance Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA).

An employer covered by the ADA cannot discriminate in hiring, retention, promotion (and other stuff that escapes my brain-fogged mind just now) against an employee on the basis of disability/illness.  Fire Depts. would be covered by the ADA, as departments of municipal corporations.

HIPPA requires an insurer writing group health coverage to offer coverage to the entire group.  If you are changing from other coverage without any gap in time they cannot impose any limitation on pre-existing conditions.  There are some circumstances under which a pre-existing condition may be excluded from coverage for a period of time, (e.g. you haven't had health coverage for a three-month period immediately before enrolling with the group, some will exclude coverage for a pre-existing condition if you've been treated for the condition in the past 6 months.  Usually excluded from coverage for a period like 6-12 months.)  

This info is about federal law.  Your state may have laws that give you more rights/protection.

[zellyf]

Sounds like you're on the case now but here's another voice urging you to see your physician for an update on your status.  I also found out peripherally.  During a routine pregnancy screen in which I expected them to find nothing of interest.  Wrong.  Feeling good doesn't always tell the whole story.  Best wishes.