caymen

Certainly we DO have to protect ourselves from our patients as they are more of a threat to us than we are to them. In order to infect them we must stick ourselves and stick them with the same needle. Do you really think that will happen??? For most of us because of this disease our immunities are compromised and because of that we are more susceptible to catching anything that is in the air. Donna

WOW that it so great! I am so happy for you. How long is the program, full time? Can you still work? I know you will see this to the end, and your perserverence will pay off! You should be very proud of yourself. You go girl!!! Donna:lol2:

I don't know, I did not do anything to bring this on myself. I am not and never have been an IV drug user, in fact I have no idea how I acquired this disease...no idea at all!! I just feel so dirty. I guess I am just one of those people who always fixes things, I like to be in control. And this I have no control over, This I can't fix. And it makes me crazy. And HCV is very misunderstood even by healthcare workers I guess I am afraid of how people will think of me.

I've been here before and found tremendous support. Thank you all! But now I'm so torn I just do not know what to do. I am HepC positive nurse working on a med surg floor at a small hospital. I am about to start treatment. I do have to let my employer know something due to the possibly debilitating side effects. I am so scared to come out with the truth, and I am so scared not too. Living this lie is just eating me up inside. I know in my heart that I am not a risk to my patients, in fact they are more of a risk to me. But still I feel that it is my responsiblitly to come clean and at the same time I'm afraid of the consequences. Am I unethical by not disclosing? After all, I do start IVs and do wound care...is that considered "invasive procedures"? Does anyone have any advice for me? Any experiences that may be similar to mine? Please help.

PS.....my husband too doesn't like change. It was all my idea to move due to economics where we lived. We did not know a sole here, just chose to come. AND IT WAS THE BEST THING WE EVER COULD HAVE DONE, for our lives, our kids, our relationship.......turned out to be a good thing for all of us. I would love to help you

I moved from NYS to Mauldins, SC 6 years ago before I was a nurse or even thought about being a nurse. Oh my gosh what a great move it was. My kids are sooo happy in the Mauldin school district. It is such a great and safe, growing place to be. The people here are wonderful, housing in booming, jobs are booming even more. I work for GHS (Greenville Hospital System) and am very happy there but there are soo many options for us around here. The weather is phenomenal! My children have since gone from elementary to high school in the Mauldin district so if you have any questions I would be happy to help. I am also pretty familiar with the area if you want to talk, anytime!

Hi again, I would like to talk with you privately. I'm pretty new on this site and sometimes see an icon to send email but not on yours. Can you send me a private message?

Hi, I am not HIV+, but HCV+. but also wonder how others cope with such a bloodborne virus. I'm curious, does your employer know? I understand that we cannot be discriminated against, but realistically we can be. I'm sorry about your dx and wish you well with your health and your career!

Thanks all. I am actually feeling fine. I am one of those who was accidentally diagnosed, don't fit any of the risk factors, and have no idea how or when I contracted hcv. My lliver function is normal but my viral load is rapidly increasing which is why I have decided on treatment. Believe it or not my doc thinks I should just come clean. He actually works for my hospital but in at an independent clinic totally unrelated to the hospital. His feeling is that secrets always come out why not just be honest. His nurse on the other hand says absolutely do not tell. And that is my feeling too. They cannot legally fire me for it but at the same time don't want bad publicity and can make my work life miserable on top of an already miserable situation. Also we are undergoing management changes that may not be too great for me. I really appreciate all of your opinions. Thank you !

I am a nurse working in med surge unit of a hospital. I was suprisingly disagnosed with hepC and will begin treatment in a few weeks. My chances are good of beating this thing. I realize that I will have to advise my superiors about my treatment because I will need accomodations as far as scheduling, and potential risk of my own disability due to side effects of the meds. My dilemma is that I am not comfortable disclosing my condition to anyone. It's a widely misunderstood disease even by healthcare workers. My hospital is small and rumors fly. I know that I am not a risk to my patients but I wonder, am I being unethical by NOT telling at least my nurse manager the whole truth?

Wow I really didn't expect such quick replies and support. I found out 2 1/2 years ago by donating blood when I was in nursing school, second career for me. I am 45. At the time I did tell the dean at school who encouraged me to go on. I squeaked by during my pre employment physical because I had already been vaccinated for Hep A&B. They didn't bother to take my blood and I failed to check the little Hepatitis box on the application. So for that reason I am not sure if they have any recourse against me should they get scared. So many nurses and doctors I know are so ignorant and prejiduce about HCV. I had a biopsy 2 years ago, no liver damage. My enzymes are still perfect, no effects yet and it seems that I must have had this for 20+ years. I take milk thisthle every day. I am geno 2. Considering that and the fact that I am a mom and a nurse I will start treatment in the fall. I really would love to go into OB or peds and I don't feel that I should with this disease looming. I have been a good employee for 1 1/2 years. I love the people I work with including the management. But you just never know how people will react. Every now and then I see a news clip on a healthcare worker with HCV or HIV and chaos breaks loose. I know in my heart that I cannot transmit this to anyone else but at the same time I feel sooo dishonest for not at least telling my boss. Have any of you sought treatment and if so how did you handle work?

It's an issue because it is me. I am a nurse on a med surg floor, nobody knows but I am about to enter treatment and not sure how to handle my employer. I'm not sure of the laws in my state that may protect or hurt me (SC). I'm looking for feedback, negative and/or positive from others.

I would like input on an issue at my hospital. What are your views on a working nurse that tested positive for HCV?