OMG HEPATITIS???

THe guy i work with who actually sits right in front of me and we are face to face just called to tell his boss that the doc says he has hepatitis and he needs to go this morning to find out weather its B or C and then hell be in!!!!!

I dont know what to do, frank says that i should say i dont want to sit here anymore and to find me another seat, but i would feel bad cause i dont think i could catch it from just sitting in front of him. and he is so nice..

tell me about it!

I don't think you catch it by sitting next to someone.
I think you would have to catch it the same way you would catch aids from someone (bodily fluids).

I wouldnt worry about it, you cant catch Hep B or C from everyday contact. However, Hep B can live on surfaces for days unlike HIV that is killed on contact with air, so if by some chance this guy bleeds all over his desk or chair, it must be sanitized properly, water and paper towels wont do it. One thing I dont understand, is why did this man tell his boss that he is infected? I dont think its legal for an employer to ask questions like that, I know they cant ask about HIV status. IMO I think everyone should be vaccinated against Hep B, because there are many people who have it out there, and you dont know what you are in contact with every day. Hep B is not curable, but preventable with the vaccine. Sorry so long, but just trying to help.

Valerie

Hi valerie,
He just offered the info, he actually left the message on her voice mail and i happened to walk in the office as he was saying it and her back was turned to me... so i know she didnt force the info from him..

i was only a little nervous case he is the type of person that opens his mouth and coughs ALL OVER the place...

I know, and the worst thing about it all is frank is taking a drug called enbrel for his arthritis, and the side effect to this drug is if he gets an ifection he could get VERY sick or even die. ( i DONT want him on the this drug at all but he says he needs it)

The girls are right about can't get it coughing etc - HOWEVER you should make sure you wash your hands and not touch your face - You can get Hep B in any restaurant from someone (might be TMI) who has not washed their hands after using the rest room.

But it is mainly transmitted thru - sex, sharing needles etc. So I really wouldn't worry about it. Most people I know have been vacinated - they usually tell you to get the shot if you plan on traveling out of the country

dont let him use your phone, in case he doesnt wash hands, eeck
keep some ammonia or lysol wipes in your desk

I would not worry too much Suzanne. In all honesty I don't think working with someone will put you in a position of getting it - just don't share glasses with him or food and I think I wouldn't worry about it past that.

Thank you! i dont share anything withhim except space so i guess i am ok..

I don't blame you for being concerned, but everything should be fine.

At an old job, we found out a co-worker contracted Hep B (he was HIV positive) and we all freaked.

If it's Hep B or C, it can only be passed along by direct contact with blood or body fluids. As I recall you cannot get it from casual contact or through food/water contact.

Hep A is the one that can be spread by 'fecal oral' transmission. This is the one that you usually get a vaccine for if you are travelling to certain parts of the world. Even A, though more easily spread, casual contact like you'd have in the office is fine.

Hang in there...

Your right I totally forgot about A

Suzanne this should make you feel better:


Hepatitis B is transmitted via blood and other body fluids. Infection can occur through:

Contact with blood in healthcare settings -- this puts physicians, nurses, dentists, and other healthcare personnel at risk
'Unsafe' sex with an infected person
Blood transfusions
Sharing needles during drug use
Receiving a tattoo or acupuncture with contaminated instruments
Birth -- an infected mother can transmit the virus to the baby during delivery or shortly thereafter
Hepatitis C infection is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Persons who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:

received a blood transfusion prior to July 1992
received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor who has hepatitis C
injected street drugs or shared a needle with someone who has hepatitis C
have been on long-term kidney dialysis
as a healthcare worker had frequent contact with blood on the job
had sex with multiple partners
had sex with a person who has hepatitis C
shared personal items, such as toothbrushes and razors, with someone who has hepatitis C
were born to hepatitis C infected mothers