Will Police Dept Disqualify a hep-c applicant?

Question

Hi All,

My girlfriend (7 year relationship/lesbian) recently tested positive after donating blood ( we are still in the beginning stages of further testing).  I am in the process of becoming a police officer ( only medical test is left), if I was unfortunate enough to test positive for hep-c too ( I took a home test yesterday) would that disqualify me on my medical testing?  Does anyone know ?  These thoughts have had me severely stressed out over the past few days, as I have to wait for the results. Thank u for any help in advance...

VegasCple · Answer

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let everyone who responded to my question, that I got my results test today and it was NEGATIVE. =)  I want to thank you all for your kind words and help, and I have learned so much these past 2 weeks about this virus and the people who are fighting it.  Now we just have to wait until Monday for my g/f's PCR results and we will go from there.  

God Bless,
Vegas

Mr Liver · Answer

I'm not in NV, but in my state we passed a bill which requires all first responders to be tested for HCV upon hire. Being pos will not exclude you from employment here.The purpose of the test, is to allow those who come up positive after the hire date to be able to file workmen's comp as it will be presumed to be a job-related infection, no questions asked. It's a good piece of legislation. Before this law there was no way to collect workmen's comp due to HCV as you had to prove it was caused by exposure on the job, an impossibility in most cases.

 The laws and requirements are going to differ from state to state.

regards,
Mr Liver

VegasCple · Answer

Thank you so much for letting me know this information.  You have lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, and given me at least one less thing to worry about. What prior illnesses are they looking for anyway?

Thank you again =)
Vegas

hairtamer · Answer

I was an AZ State Corrections officer in '2004.  They do a blood test for the medical, but they are not testing for Hep C, just to see if you have any prior illness.  I have had hep c since '75 from a blood transfusion.  They won't even test you for hep c at the health dept. because of the cost.  
God Bless,
hairtamer

scubadiver30 · Answer

HCV vectors of transmission:
Blood transfussions, prior to 1991, IV drug use, inhaling coke sharing a straw, non sterile medical equipment (should'n be the case in the US) but who knows? Over here in Spain one doctor infected 200 patients.
Dental work in a busy clinic with poor sterile conditions, 
Tatoos & piercings in non sterile conditions...
Congenital maybe??? do your parents or her parents suffered hepA B or C? or any other liver condition?
This disease has a stigma attached to it, but on the other hand, is more treatable than most...So don't worry about how you got it but how you gonna get rid of it (if that's the case....cause I'm almost sure is a false positive and you're neg

VegasCple · Answer

Lanier,
Thanks for the kind words.I spoke to my parents on the phone last night and tried to sound "ok", I was feeling so guilty and sick to my stomach about it all.  My folks are great although they do NOT know about us ( I think mom does but it's not in the open), and they are very old fashioned.  I can't imagine what they would say if they found out about all this.  They would be stressed beyond belief and my dad obsesses over everything so it would be especially hard on him.  Funny you mention your dogs because mine have been following and staring at me much more since my stress level has gone sky high this past week.  If this turns out that I am neg, there would be no words to express how thankful I would be.  This has all opened my eyes to so many things that I have often heard, but I think until it happens to you, one can't truly understand how precious being healthy and experiencing life truly is.

Scuba,

Thanks for the info, I am still struggling with how she would have gotten it since July.  There have been no risks from then till now, no needles/manicures/pedi/shared razor toothbrush/blood contact/ and only sex was with me 3-4 times max ( hey we've been together a while...lol) nothing high risk just oral.  Actually the only thing she got with a needle was her flu shot shortly before her donation.  Is there any possible chance that her results could be false positive or would it be like a 1 in a million shot in the dark?

scubadiver30 · Answer

Shoot, now I read that those results were form a year ago almost.
She could have gotten it after july and be acute...But like I said, if it is recent, there's nothing to worry about yet. This is a slow moving disease (it takes 20-30 year to do damage) so you have plenty of time to get ready and prepare for TX. (as Jim says)
I wish I had known this in my early stages. I got it in the 80's :-( and still managed to get SVR last may.
Like Lanier says, you'll face more dangers  being a cop than from HCV (with you current status)

scubadiver30 · Answer

With those ALT & AST that was a false positive or she was exposed to HCV and got cured on her own (most likely) or it hasn't started to do any damage yet. 
Just get those PCRs asap for peace of mind. You need to know if you guys are indeed infected, if so get viral load and genotype as we speak.
Don't mention it to your folks or to the police either and do all blood work in a private lab. Too difficult to explain...They won't get it...
Then post the results here and the folks here will guide you thru your next step.
Like I said:
White women, <40, in good shape & low viral load, no fibrosis have the highest percentage of cure (even if genotipe 1b) with the current meds. Or if there's no fibrosis you could wait for the newer meds till 2010 (just 3 monts of tx vs the 6 or 12 months now)

lanier · Answer

If it were me and it is not, I would not say a word.  My Mother had such a different focal point on so many things that was from her generation.  I tell you there was no one I loved more than my Mom, but just like most Mom's she had her opinions and forget about it when it came time to telling her a new way of thinking, your younger than me and you and your partner may have a whole different kind of relationship with your parents.  I spent over 30 years NOT knowing and today I am thankful for everyone,, I hope all this worry is for not and in a few weeks your back to where we all were long ago, our mortality back.  If there is one thing you or at least I did learn and it is everyday is a blessing and we should ALL live like we were dying.  I'm planning every possible thing I can and trying to keep smiling, looking out for the homeless in my small way and doing things for animals.  If we focus on ourselves we will implode ( I have about 100 times) but especially this time of year if you find something to do to give back, it will fill you with relief that your a part of something bigger than yourself.  It works for me, most days....not all.  I still go nuts on a regular basis, but I have my dogs and they sense it and follow me around and try to keep me from sticking my head in the oven.  hope your smiling that what it is all about.  Happy holidays to you and your mate.

Regards
Lani

and congratulations on putting a  big goal in front of yourself being in law enforcement is about as popular as health care in many states, it takes a certain kind of person to see what we do.

VegasCple · Answer

Thanks Lanier...my other huge concern is that my folks come out to spend the winter here at my house.  They will be coming very early Jan, so they are going to be all in my business with the police testing etc since they will be here.  I do not know if I should tell my mother or not, she would obviously be VERY troubled by all this.  I guess I just have to wait out the home test I took ( I am currently unemployed w/ no medical insurance) which I should have the results next week.  It's the What If's and waiting thats driving me crazy, the only time I can take my mind off this is when I am sleeping...

lanier · Answer

If it were me I would take the test.  HIPPA is your right to diclose, you will be given a lab to go to that will forward results to prospective employer.  It should show on it what the employer is asking your blood to be checked for. Be sure to let the clinice that ONLY the required information be forwarded to your prospective employer, there will be a realease for HIV most likely and then the HIPPA information, this is where I would write in what is listed by your employer is what you will "allow"  I am not a lawyer, but I do know about HIPPA and if your employer does not have a box "checked" for HCV antibodies (I was in nursing for over 20 years, never came up until I wanted to get into a flight nurse position)  I was undiagnosed, that is the difference between us, I had no clue.  To me you ahead of the game knowing, and with your age, you can wait 5 years or more to treat most likely, you may even be just "acute" which would be super and then I would say treat immediately you will be rid of this nightmare before you know it.  Read the paperwork you sign at the labcorp you go to, be specific you have no problems about any drug testing or HIV, but any other results are to be forwarded and released only to you for your discression.  If you meet all the criteria the police are asking for and they try to give you any ****, get a lawyer then you are being dicriminated against.  sorry about spelling erros.

Gooooo for your Dreams...your young
Lanier

VegasCple · Answer

Sorry to confuse...I am NOT hired yet.  I have gone through all the hiring processes and passed, now the only thing that remains is a conditional job offer and then the medical test.  I am 31 years old.

lanier · Answer

HIPPA can protect you, but the EAP might ask you to treat.  It is your choice, the testing that is required for your position is for drugs like THC and up.  However HIV is included, and many hiv positive clients do not even realize they carry HCV.  So I say keep quiet and if it comes up, know your rights.  You have been hired, and just like if you became "pregnant" in this training period, your benifits will apply.  When you say "process" does that mean you signed paperwork and have basic training done, just like clinicals in medicine that would mean your "in"  I would not discuss it nor worry about anything but getting to the place where you sign on the bottom line for your contracted amount and then go forward.  You may be "acute" and treat very quicky or decide to wait I do not know how old you guys are?  Being a police officer is just as risky as working in an emergency room, whic I did for years, you face many situations where there is no time for a mask or mask and some real crazies, it's a hard job and I wish you well on your journey , keep going if you in your 20's-30's do not walk awy from something you want in life.

Good Luck
get yourself tested and relax until then, sex is a low risk.
Lanier

VegasCple · Answer

I just found her bloodwork but it is from JAN 07, her AST was 15 and her ALT was 12.

VegasCple · Answer

Hi there,

We have NO symptoms whatsoever, we are both in shape and workout regularly.  She had a routine blood workup in JAN 07 and her everything was fine, no elevations except her white blood cells b/c she had a cold at the time.  The real confusion lies with if she is indeed infected, WHEN did this happen?  In July 07 she gave blood and results were negative.  Her PCP said there are no signs of jaundice, inflamed liver or anything when we went to him yesterday. Please let me know what you all think...thanks

scubadiver30 · Answer

In fact you may don't even have it..So don't worry too much right now.
I know in the beginning is scary but after you get all the info together you'll see
it is manageable
(but if you really are HCV+ you have a lot a good cure predictors witht the current meds) and you came to the right place for information.
You're both women & young <40yo, not overweight; no symptoms, no concurrent conditions. 
No smoking & no drinking till you get the PCRs results (Heptimax or Roche Amplicor)

This link could also help your regarding your recruitment issues

http://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=8543868&pageid=r&mode=ALL&n=0&query=disabilities+act&imageField.x=22&imageField.y=10

scubadiver30 · Answer

You and your partner should get a PCR asap for HCV. Is about 250 $ a pop..and you'll know for sure. Takes 1 week for the resullt
If she's RIBA positive it only means she has HCV antibodies & was exposed to HCV but she may have defeated it with her own inmune system.
How high are the LFTs ? ALT /AST?
Does she feel fatigued? jaundice? skin blotches?

VegasCple · Answer

I appreciate it if you could find something out for me.  I have never been tested for anything before since I don't like needles, so that's another reason I am scared.  I have my belly pierced and that's it.  I am thinking back of any sexual situations and I can think of 2 incidents that have me uneasy.  Once I gave oral to a female who had menses, and a really long time ago I may have been sexually assaulted by a man.  I was drunk and passed out and my friends found me in a room he had taken me to.  I never knew what truly happened, I did not feel anything physically different the next AM if he had forced himself on me.  That was over 10 years ago.  My g/f has gotten 2 tattoes and has her belly pierced as well.Last year (jan/feb/march) my girlfriend and I did share a razor a few times by mistake while we were using the same shower.  She donated blood in July and everything came back negative.  Then this time (November) she had the following results:

EIA:Reactive
RIBA:positive
NAT:negative

My mind is just racing with this whole thing, as everyone knows I am basically hired if I just pass this medical test....Please let me know what you guys think...

scubadiver30 · Answer

I guess you're confusing it with Hep B.
Anyhow, I wouldn't say anything to the police HR department just in case.
Don't know if they have access to your & your girlfriend's medical records but they might.
Over here in Spain gay marriages are legal since 2004 but still many gay couples in the army & police dept get harassed out of the force :-(
I guess those are not teh most liberal organizations to work for
BTW do you have tattoos or piercings? Those are most probably vectors of transmission than sex

copyman · Answer

you are more at risk as a police officer then with sex to get HCV. police are exposed to HCV way more often then even most medical professionals are.  relax, the chances are very slim that you have HCV from your girlfriend. dont get me wrong it can be passed by having sex but usually rough sex involving blood. not sure what kind of sex lesbians have, although i have thought about it many times :-), but i would think hetro sex would be more of a risk. best of luck

JodyLynn · Answer

Chances are you don't have it ....when i found out i had it a couple of years ago my ex got tested, he does NOT have it and we were married 22 years......ya don't get it from sex much.

debnevada · Answer

I live in vegas too but i do not have the answer to your question.....i have a cop friend who i will ask without giving ANY details at all.

Deb

Will Police Dept Disqualify a hep-c applicant?

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