I spoke to an MD the other day who told me that Hepatitus C was the SINGLE biggest...

K O'Malley · Feb 12, 2004

Apparently Hep C is a big problem for health care workers. It can infect you without you knowing it and reside quietly in the liver for years. Sometimes you are totally unaware of any blood exposure but somewhere along the line it was inadvertent. What I was told by our education nurse was as nurses age, we will see more and more active Hep C cases because our immune systems aren't as strong when we age and the bug will flare up. And yes, I know of a few nurses who contracted Hep C. One was an OR nurse and she does not remember ever being in a situation where she would have been exposed. Though exhausted and not feeling well, she has been required to keep working. I guess that somehow workers comp weasled out of paying, using the excuse that it can't be proven that she caught it on the job. On a positive note, I read that they are close to developing a vaccine.

BarbPick · Feb 12, 2004

threat facing health care workers today. He said that he personally knew two doctors that had been infected through their jobs. Thus, he told me that there was NO WAY that he would subject himself to the risk of Hep. C for nursing pay. Do you know ANYONE who has contracted Hepatitus C from their jobs? Is there any progress being made in developing and effective vaccine? I know that this virus as a high degree of genetic drift, and antigentic variation, but so does influenza and we can make vaccines for influenza (even if we miss the strains some years). If you do get this bug, are you "released" by most hospitals?

Since it is sexually transmitted as well, who is to know the real source of the infection. Virology is quite activly being researched.

Erin RN · Feb 12, 2004

I know 2 nurses who were infected. One was infected during a "take down" with a psych patient and ultimately needed a liver transplant at the age of 40. The other is unsure of the exact incident but she worked at a "kinife and gun club" ER in the early 70s before they used gloves and she is pretty sure she contracted it during that time. Hers lie dormant for a long time and was actually picked up during routine blood work. She treated with interferon for 18 months and her viral load is now undetectable. Both are still nurses. I hope they develop a vaccine..Hep C is a scarey animal..Erin

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Feb 12, 2004

Hep C test is required as part of the hiring process at my hospital.

Roland · Feb 13, 2004

Does that mean if you are positive that they don't hire you or that they want you to get down to a low viral load? It would be bad enough to contract this disease in the course of my job, but even worse to then not be able to work because of it. Of course we must consider the impact on patients as well. However, HIV is no longer considered a reason for dismissing an employee. Is HEP C in a seperate catagory because it can be more easily transmitted. On the other hand, I find it almost laughable that my nursing school requires a tuberculin skin test and DOESN'T require a Hep C, B, or HIV test. These are MUCH more common than Tuberculosis, maybe not in 1940, but today these illnesses pose a much more tangible threat.

BarbPick · Feb 13, 2004

Does that mean if you are positive that they don't hire you or that they want you to get down to a low viral load? It would be bad enough to contract this disease in the course of my job, but even worse to then not be able to work because of it. Of course we must consider the impact on patients as well. However, HIV is no longer considered a reason for dismissing an employee. Is HEP C in a seperate catagory because it can be more easily transmitted. On the other hand, I find it almost laughable that my nursing school requires a tuberculin skin test and DOESN'T require a Hep C, B, or HIV test. These are MUCH more common than Tuberculosis, maybe not in 1940, but today these illnesses pose a much more tangible threat.

I am not sure they can demand viral testing. They must offer Hep B. Federal law says they can not ask about your health until you are completely hired, no turning back. There are many ways the suggestion can be made to have the labs done at no cost to you.

findingmywayRN · Feb 13, 2004

Do you know ANYONE who has contracted Hepatitus C from their jobs?

My cousin was a nurse who contracted hep c while working in dialysis years ago. She ended up dying of it the first semester I started nursing school. :sniff:

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Feb 13, 2004

Does that mean if you are positive that they don't hire you or that they want you to get down to a low viral load?... On the other hand, I find it almost laughable that my nursing school requires a tuberculin skin test and DOESN'T require a Hep C, B, or HIV test.

Never got to the consequences of having HVC, as my test was negative.

Our school does require HVB, PPD, and a bunch of other records of immunizations / titers. No HIV testing though.

zumalong · Feb 13, 2004

:uhoh3: kind of scary--especially if you started in nursing before gloves were used. I don't think it would be reason to not go into nursing esp if you start out negative and practice standard precautions.

Don't like to hear that ins and workers comp. are refusing to cover this if it occurs.

BarbPick · Feb 13, 2004

Never got to the consequences of having HVC, as my test was negative.
Our school does require HVB, PPD, and a bunch of other records of immunizations / titers. No HIV testing though.

Now to work agency here you have to produce viral titers for MMR chicken pox , my luck, I had all but mumps, I had to get the combo immunitazion anyway. Also my Hep B was negative, had the series in 86, had to do it again.

jemommyRN · Feb 13, 2004

I HAVE A COUSIN WHO IS AN RN AND SHE WAS INFECTED BY HEPATITIS C THROUGH A NEEDLE PUNCTURE. SHE IS NOT ABLE TO WORK IN THE HOSPITAL ANYMORE BECAUSE SHE IS SICK A LOT OF THE TIME. SHE IS GOING TO GET HER MASTERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH SO THAT SHE CAN WORK IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION. THAT KIND OF SCARY. :chair: