How to Work With Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral infection that affects the liver. It is passed through direct contact with blood, usually through infected needles, poorly sterilized medical equipment and infected blood transfusions. A diagnosis of hepatitis C can be devastating, and deciding whether or not to tell people is a very personal choice. Most people will be able to continue working normally with hepatitis C, but they may experience some discrimination, such as being passed over for promotions. Some might have to significantly change their duties to accommodate their illness.

Things You'll Need

• Job contract
• First aid kit
• Gauze
• Bandages
• Latex gloves
• Face masks
• Bleach

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Instructions

• 1

  Look at your job contract to find out if you are required to disclose any infectious diseases to your employers. For example, health care professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and technicians, are required to inform their departments so appropriate precautions can be taken.

• 2

  Decide if it is necessary to tell your employer you have hepatitis C. In most cases, you are not required by law to disclose hepatitis C so the choice varies by individual. If you are not having symptoms of the disease or bad side effects from treatment, you may be able to continue your duties as usual. However, if you are suffering from the fatigue, nausea and pain associated with hepatitis C; hepatitis C treatment; and cirrhosis, you might need to take extra sick days or other time off for doctor visits.

• 3

  Inform your medical insurance provider that you have hepatitis C. If you don't tell your insurance company, they can withhold coverage because you didn't disclose a pre-existing condition. Your medical insurance company cannot legally disclose this information to your employer.

• 4

  Discuss with your employer or manager any accommodations you might need for your illness. This can include extra time off or changes to your duties if you're chronically ill. Hepatitis C is a degenerative condition, so in the United States it is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and most employers are required to make reasonable changes to accommodate people with the disease.

• 5

  Use caution when dealing with your blood or other people's open wounds. Make sure your workplace has a first aid kit containing gauze, bandages, latex gloves and face masks. Cover any open wounds as quickly as possible, and clean up blood immediately with bleach.