Can Nurses and /o HCPs work if they are positive for Diseases of Concern?

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Hey everyone,

I am taking an intro to HC course and we are covering Diseases of concern such as STDs, Meningitis, TB, AIDS/HIV etc. Can healthcare providers, nurses especially, work if they have one of these diseases? If so, are they at a risk of having difficulty finding employment? What about if someone contracts them from occupational incidents? Thank you for your answers!!!

:cool:

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Hey everyone,

I am taking an intro to HC course and we are covering Diseases of concern such as STDs, Meningitis, TB, AIDS/HIV etc. Can healthcare providers, nurses especially, work if they have one of these diseases? If so, are they at a risk of having difficulty finding employment? What about if someone contracts them from occupational incidents? Thank you for your answers!!!

:cool:

STDs are not an issue unless neurological syphillis, which you would likely be in no condition to work healthcare or anywhere else. HIV+ is not either. Full blown AIDS (not everyone HIV+ develops AIDS with diligent following of recommended treatment regimen) would likely be too ill to work and may require reverse isolation.

Meningitis you would be in no condition to work healthcare or anywhere else.

Active TB requires treatment and a medical clearance before returning to work or school (healthcare or not). Positive ppd with negative chest X-ray is a non issue and very common in healthcare.

It's highly unlike other than hepatitis B through blood/body fluid that anyone would contract an STD while working. TB, HIV, meningitis etc would fall under occupational health/ workers compensation if the exposure was properly reported and documented. The employer is then legally obligated to pay for treatment, lost time from work if directly related to the incident, and follow up care as per current standards. It's not uncommon for healthcare employers to offer screening & prophylactic treatment for employees exposed to pertussis, meningitis, hepatitis, TB, rubella, even scabies once the source patient has a confirmed diagnosis.

We had a possible active TB exposure during nursing clinical rotations in school. All students were offered a no cost PPD and follow up care if there was a reaction.

You are not obligated to divulge HIV status as a condition of employment and if denied employment solely because of HIV status it could be legally considered discrimination. I have no idea why a healthcare facility would inquire or screen for STDs so again, a non-issue.

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STDs are not an issue unless neurological syphillis, which you would likely be in no condition to work healthcare or anywhere else. HIV+ is not either. Full blown AIDS (not everyone HIV+ develops AIDS with diligent following of recommended treatment regimen) would likely be too ill to work and may require reverse isolation.

Meningitis you would be in no condition to work healthcare or anywhere else.

Active TB requires treatment and a medical clearance before returning to work or school (healthcare or not). Positive ppd with negative chest X-ray is a non issue and very common in healthcare.

It's highly unlike other than hepatitis B through blood/body fluid that anyone would contract an STD while working. TB, HIV, meningitis etc would fall under occupational health/ workers compensation if the exposure was properly reported and documented. The employer is then legally obligated to pay for treatment, lost time from work if directly related to the incident, and follow up care as per current standards. It's not uncommon for healthcare employers to offer screening & prophylactic treatment for employees exposed to pertussis, meningitis, hepatitis, TB, rubella, even scabies once the source patient has a confirmed diagnosis.

We had a possible active TB exposure during nursing clinical rotations in school. All students were offered a no cost PPD and follow up care if there was a reaction.

You are not obligated to divulge HIV status as a condition of employment and if denied employment solely because of HIV status it could be legally considered discrimination. I have no idea why a healthcare facility would inquire or screen for STDs so again, a non-issue.

Thanks for the information. I just know that if someone did by chance, maintain health even if they contracted the disease, they might still want to work. I don't know if such situations do occur. What about HSV 1/2? I know contamination can be a risk factor the same as HIV/AIDS, but if youre saying that revealing that info is not required for employment, then I would assume that herpes wouldn't be an issue also?

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
What about HSV 1/2? I know contamination can be a risk factor the same as HIV/AIDS, but if youre saying that revealing that info is not required for employment, then I would assume that herpes wouldn't be an issue also?

Unless they're kissing or having sex with their patients, it's not a problem.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Thanks for the information. I just know that if someone did by chance, maintain health even if they contracted the disease, they might still want to work. I don't know if such situations do occur. What about HSV 1/2? I know contamination can be a risk factor the same as HIV/AIDS, but if youre saying that revealing that info is not required for employment, then I would assume that herpes wouldn't be an issue also?

Not in nursing. Prostitution, possibly a required disclosure or if there was a kissing booth. But no, not a disqualifying condition. Complications notwithstanding (herpes encephalitis).

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis would require a staff member to stay home until medically cleared. Uncomplicated STDs not so much.

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My instructor said that even though the HSV is usually passed through ST, it can still live for short periods that can lead to indirect contamination. Is that true?

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

It's next to impossible for HSV to be transmitted via inanimate objects. The virus dies quickly after it leaves the body, and it's transmitted through mucous membranes and/or cuts/scrapes in the skin. I mean, I suppose it's possible if you were TRYING to get it - like if a patient wiped their lesions with a towel and then you immediately took the towel and wiped it all over your face, you could probably get HSV that way. But real world, common sense - no. Direct contact.

HSV 1 can also be transmitted via droplet.

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Specializes in Pedi.

Employers cannot ask about HIV status or sexual history during the hiring process.

Herpes has periods of outbreaks and remission. If a nurse had genital herpes, HOW on earth would that put her patients at risk? Unless she's having sex with them, it doesn't so it's a non-issue. I cannot think of any STD that would be an issue for employment. I am quite certain- just based on how prevalent it is- that there are literally THOUSANDS of working nurses who have HPV. Again, employers cannot ask "do you have chlamydia?" when they are interviewing someone so I'm not sure how you think nurses with an STD or an STD history would have a hard time finding employment.

CDC recommends screening healthcare staff for TB exposure. If the PPD is positive, a Chest XR is done. If that is normal, there is no issue. If the person needs to be treated, they must complete treatment prior to beginning work because of how contagious TB is.

Bacterial meningitis is EXTREMELY contagious and no, you would not be able to work while you are acutely ill. Bacterial meningitis is extremely deadly as well so, as JustBeachy said, no one with meningitis would be in any condition to work. If the person recovers from the acute illness, there is no issue. Most people don't walk into a job interview and say "Hi, I'm Sarah and I had meningitis last year." There would be no reason for an employer to know this about the prospective employee's medical history.

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Employers cannot ask about HIV status or sexual history during the hiring process.

Herpes has periods of outbreaks and remission. If a nurse had genital herpes, HOW on earth would that put her patients at risk? Unless she's having sex with them, it doesn't so it's a non-issue. I cannot think of any STD that would be an issue for employment. I am quite certain- just based on how prevalent it is- that there are literally THOUSANDS of working nurses who have HPV. Again, employers cannot ask "do you have chlamydia?" when they are interviewing someone so I'm not sure how you think nurses with an STD or an STD history would have a hard time finding employment.

CDC recommends screening healthcare staff for TB exposure. If the PPD is positive, a Chest XR is done. If that is normal, there is no issue. If the person needs to be treated, they must complete treatment prior to beginning work because of how contagious TB is.

Bacterial meningitis is EXTREMELY contagious and no, you would not be able to work while you are acutely ill. Bacterial meningitis is extremely deadly as well so, as JustBeachy said, no one with meningitis would be in any condition to work. If the person recovers from the acute illness, there is no issue. Most people don't walk into a job interview and say "Hi, I'm Sarah and I had meningitis last year." There would be no reason for an employer to know this about the prospective employee's medical history.

Wow! Thanks for the info. :)

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