Nurses with Hep C

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi: After an episode of acute liver failure, I have been diagnosed with Hep C. I have never had a needle stick, blood transfusion, IV drugs etc. I don't know where I got it. We can only assume. I am presently off on sick leave. My employer is accusing me of IV drug use etc etc. While I am coping with my diagnosis, I am continually subjected to harassment by my employer re: drug use etc. I have subjected myself to breathalyzers, hair drug screens etc. I have even suffered the indignity of rehab (Im not addicted to anything....) Has anyone else had a similar situation, or are they going through one similar now. I need advice and support. Please help......(:

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Your employer is WAY out of line... They need a crash course in Hep c. They're obviously quite ignorant about the virus. I'm sorry for your diagnosis!

Hep C can stick around for decades without any symptoms warranting investigation. Can you remember anything from your childhood or teenage hood that may have contributed to this? Hep C. is a tough virus -- it can stay on surfaces for days outside of the body. It could have been someone bled out on something outside that you came along later on and cut yourself on. Something as simple and innocent as that.

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Definitely out of line. You should not be harrassed like that. My friend is an RN w/ Hep C, and was mysteriously diagnosed in high school...you can even get it from sharing a toothbrush!

So sorry you're dealing with this. Is there any other reason your employer might be targeting you like this? Or are they just that ignorant....:eek:

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To clarify before someone gets the wrong impression -- toothbrushes can have blood on them from brushing too hard or from mini sores in the mouth. Hep C can then survive through the harshness of our stomach.

It's blood transmission only.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
To clarify before someone gets the wrong impression -- toothbrushes can have blood on them from brushing too hard or from mini sores in the mouth. Hep C can then survive through the harshness of our stomach.

It's blood transmission only.

Blood-to-blood transmission. Meaning that blood from the infected person has to get into your blood stream somehow. In theory, it is possible to transmit HCV by way of toothbrush; if blood from the infected person gets on the toothbrush, then the person who uses it next has impaired skin integrity in their mouth, then the virus could in theory get into their blood stream. Also, HCV is not considered sexually transmitted, but it can be transmitted during sex through micro tears in the mucous membranes.

HCV does have a strong association with IV drug use, which is why your employer is jumping to that conclusion; however, a significant number of infected people never figure out how they became infected, since they never did IV drugs.

http://www.pegasys.com/basics/hepatitis-c-spread.aspx

I think your employer is way out of line, and I'd even consider getting a legal consult were I you.

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I am attempting to secure legal consult but because Im only getting partial wages on sick leave, this is very difficult financially. I think I may have secured access to an advocate today (thank god) All my drug tests are negative (of course) but they keep insinuating I know how to get around them (give me a break) I am really disappointed with my profession. A colleague told me....the medical profession is held to higher standards because they understand assessment is based on fact...not assumption. Thats why there are lab tests.......I feel so ashamed and degreaded right now!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

WHAT DOES YOUR LAWYER SAY??? If you don't have one, then you are far behind the 8 ball. You should have gotten a lawyer at the first hint that your employer was not supporting you.

Years ago there was a nurse who worked ER who got to work just as an accident victim was being brought in. She had been gardening earlier that day (or maybe the day before) and had multiple scratches on her hands. She apparently got blood on her hands, and ended up with AIDS. The hospital put her thru he!!. DO NOT let this continue to happen to you. I can't believe they made you thru rehab!!!

WHERE IS YOUR LAWYER!!!!!

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All substance abuse tests are negative. Have been since the start. Went to drug rehab assessment as a requirement of my employer. They determined I was not addicted to anything through psychiatric assessment and hair tests. I am attending "drug and alcohol education" classes for 3 hrs x 3 weeks to get "my employer off my back" as per the rehab center. I am actually participating in them as an "educator" about Hep C at the request of the drug counsellor "as I have very little to gain" (although any education about our field is empowering and if I don't have something to gain, I have something to give...so it's not a complete waste of time!) Im feeling very sold out and hung out to dry! As if dealing with end stage liver failure at 45 isn't enough! :)

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Specializes in med-surg.

Do you have any tattoos? My boyfriend was suddenly diagnosed with Hep C last year and the only thing we can come up with is his tattoos that he first got when he was 16.

I am sorry your employer is putting you through all that. My boyfriend was a paramedic and they put him through a bunch of crap too. He sought legal advice and now everything is going quite well for him. Good luck to you!

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No...i don't have tatoos, I am not sexually promiscous, do not do IV drugs, no blood transfusions....only nurse pts with Hep C...follow universal precautions (LOL)

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