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twicethefun
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
Posted by Summerrluvv
Posted by emilain
Posted by mimih
I hate to say it, but I would look for someone new. I mean, when my kids are involved I am a little over protective.
Me too, all Heps are risky: Don;t risk it.
With that said, how does anyone know if their daycare provider(s) have hepatitis? You wouldn't, because they aren't required to disclose a medical condition. How do you know your own pediatrician doesn't have it? Is this something everyone will now ask when they interview providers or centers? Would you ask if they have HIV/AIDS? What if a family member had it? Would you not allow your child to be around that family member? I think people are overeacting just a bit.
Of course you have to do what you are comfortable with, but just something to think about.
Actually, I think a pediatrician, or a relative sre totally different. I am speaking honestly, so flame me if you will. But I know my pediatrician washes his hands everytime he enters the room and although he handles my baby, he does not coddle her. I completely trust my relatives to be responsible about hygiene especially if they are contagious. (And by the way my Dad had hepatitis B)
A child care provider is different. When I am not there, they are the first responder. They may not have time to wash before helping my child, eveytime. When my child falls and cuts herself, or drools, or sticks her fingers in her mouth or nose, where have those fingers been before. When my nieces or nephews or son have been playing in the yard and grab my daughters hands I hold her hands down away from her mouth until I can get a wipe to clean my baby's precious hands before they land back in her mouth. I take these precautions with my own relatives, I would certainly take some with my health care provider...and yes I wish they would tell me if they have anything contagious, and I am sorry, but yes, I may have to find someone new.
That is not to say that I would be worried about myself, cause I am not sucking on my fingers all day.
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Posted 3/24/08 9:20 PM  |
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BaroqueMama
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
Posted by ZerboMatic
It's a good to talk to your pediatrician, but I expect that they'll reassure you.
Hepatitis A is pretty contagious, but that's almost certainly not what she has (it never becomes a chronic condition). Kids actually catch it all the time in day care and such, and are usually asymptomatic. There's also a vaccine for it now.
Hepatitis B and C can be come chronic. Both are very common in other countries. Off hand, I'd guess probably she has hepatitis B, which in other countries is often spread from mother to child before birth. There is a vaccine for it, which is part of the routine vaccinations that most kids get starting soon after birth. If you want to ask her if that's what she has, it might set your mind at ease.
But, as other people have said, it's very hard to catch either hepatitis B or C. The main ways in the US are through injection drug use and sex. You cannot catch it from being around people, touching them, kissing them, putting things in their mouth, etc. I have a cousin who's had hepatitis C for decades, and neither his wife nor his teenage daughter has caught it.
As far as some of the comments being posted on this thread... it's natural to be worried for our kids. But it's also important not to jump to conclusions. Discriminating against someone based on a health condition is still discriminating, and it's still unfair.
Fabulous post. You basically said anything I was going to. It's important not to get too alarmed without proper information. I would talk to your ped. for reassurance, but the chances of your child contracting it are slim.
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| Posted 3/24/08 9:22 PM |
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EmmaNick
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
Posted by mimih
Posted by Summerrluvv
Posted by emilain
Posted by mimih
I hate to say it, but I would look for someone new. I mean, when my kids are involved I am a little over protective.
Me too, all Heps are risky: Don;t risk it.
With that said, how does anyone know if their daycare provider(s) have hepatitis? You wouldn't, because they aren't required to disclose a medical condition. How do you know your own pediatrician doesn't have it? Is this something everyone will now ask when they interview providers or centers? Would you ask if they have HIV/AIDS? What if a family member had it? Would you not allow your child to be around that family member? I think people are overeacting just a bit.
Of course you have to do what you are comfortable with, but just something to think about.
Actually, I think a pediatrician, or a relative sre totally different. I am speaking honestly, so flame me if you will. But I know my pediatrician washes his hands everytime he enters the room and although he handles my baby, he does not coddle her. I completely trust my relatives to be responsible about hygiene especially if they are contagious. (And by the way my Dad had hepatitis B)
A child care provider is different. When I am not there, they are the first responder. They may not have time to wash before helping my child, eveytime. When my child falls and cuts herself, or drools, or sticks her fingers in her mouth or nose, where have those fingers been before. When my nieces or nephews or son have been playing in the yard and grab my daughters hands I hold her hands down away from her mouth until I can get a wipe to clean my baby's precious hands before they land back in her mouth. I take these precautions with my own relatives, I would certainly take some with my health care provider...and yes I wish they would tell me if they have anything contagious, and I am sorry, but yes, I may have to find someone new.
That is not to say that I would be worried about myself, cause I am not sucking on my fingers all day.
Hep B and C aren't "contagious" though like a cold or the flu. You don't spread it from not washing your hands. Reading up on it would probably be a good thing 
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| Posted 3/24/08 9:41 PM |
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twicethefun
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
This is what I have read...
Hep B can be contracted by contact with open sores and that Hep b can be survive outside the body for up to 7 days.
More than 30% of people with Hep c do not know how they contracted it. Infections may have been caused by unnoticed or forgotten cuts or wounds.
As a teacher I was given strict instructions to use gloves when touching a wound of a child in my class who had hep c, I assume that meant it was contagious... And did my research.
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| Posted 3/24/08 9:56 PM |
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MsMBV
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
Posted by racheeeee
I would worry why she didn't tell you when you hired her. That is very important information.
ITA. That seems like very important info that you should have when working with children
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| Posted 3/24/08 9:59 PM |
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EmmaNick
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
Posted by mimih
This is what I have read...
Hep B can be contracted by contact with open sores and that Hep b can be survive outside the body for up to 7 days.
More than 30% of people with Hep c do not know how they contracted it. Infections may have been caused by unnoticed or forgotten cuts or wounds.
As a teacher I was given strict instructions to use gloves when touching a wound of a child in my class who had hep c, I assume that meant it was contagious... And did my research.
We can go back and forth about this, but it's HIGHLY unlikely that your child is going to get Hep B or C from sticking their fingers in their mouth. It's not passed that way. Just like you don't get HIV from putting your fingers in your mouth, or even kissing someone with HIV.
Obviously if you are touching someone's wound you would wear gloves, that's a universal precaution and I'm sure all daycare providers adhere to that as well.
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| Posted 3/24/08 10:04 PM |
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littlejoy06
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
I would be nervous. I would defintely talk to the Ped about this. Since they are professionals they can tell you honestly.
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| Posted 3/25/08 7:00 AM |
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DebG
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
Posted by MsMBV
Posted by racheeeee
I would worry why she didn't tell you when you hired her. That is very important information.
ITA. That seems like very important info that you should have when working with children
Some information you don't have to divulge on interviews plus if she did and a parent was uniformed how many job interiews do you would think would end that second.
I don't know alot about hep but would like to believe that I would research and talk to my peds and such before a knee jerk reaction one way or the other.
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| Posted 3/25/08 7:16 AM |
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KartveliT
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
http://www.kosmix.com/Health/hepatitis/-od-answers_20080221181440AAnyEJl-s
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| Posted 3/25/08 7:53 AM |
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KateDevine
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
Posted by MsMBV
Posted by racheeeee
I would worry why she didn't tell you when you hired her. That is very important information.
ITA. That seems like very important info that you should have when working with children
Why? You do not have to tell anyone you have HIV or Hep. If you look on a HIPPAA form, you have to initial to have that information released, it isn't public info.
As Summer has said before, everyone at your DC's daycare could have Hep and you'd never be able to know or ask, I think she was totally within her rights not to tell.
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| Posted 3/25/08 7:55 AM |
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EtWaFM
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
I understand that it is scary to think of a disease like Hepatitis. That's why I had DD vaccinated against Hep B. I'm so glad there is a safe and effective vaccine for Hep B.
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| Posted 3/25/08 7:42 PM |
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yankinmanc
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
I would be under the impression that if you were working in a job where a health problem might cause issues, you would (and should) divulge that information. (just for instance, someone with epilepsy might have problems working in an office with flourescent lights that flicker) Again, I might be wrong but I think its something that should be divulged.
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| Posted 3/26/08 5:51 AM |
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lulugrrl
My 3 Blessings
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
Posted by Summerrluvv
Posted by emilain
Posted by mimih
I hate to say it, but I would look for someone new. I mean, when my kids are involved I am a little over protective.
Me too, all Heps are risky: Don;t risk it.
With that said, how does anyone know if their daycare provider(s) have hepatitis? You wouldn't, because they aren't required to disclose a medical condition. How do you know your own pediatrician doesn't have it? Is this something everyone will now ask when they interview providers or centers? Would you ask if they have HIV/AIDS? What if a family member had it? Would you not allow your child to be around that family member? I think people are overeacting just a bit.
Of course you have to do what you are comfortable with, but just something to think about.
I know when I was dealing with little flower to find day care. They told me they have their providers checked for communicable diseases. Maybe day cares do the same? Not sure....new question for me to ask now.
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| Posted 3/26/08 9:59 AM |
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EmmaNick
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Re: My nanny just told me in a casual conversation that she has hepatitis....
Posted by lulugrrl
Posted by Summerrluvv
Posted by emilain
Posted by mimih
I hate to say it, but I would look for someone new. I mean, when my kids are involved I am a little over protective.
Me too, all Heps are risky: Don;t risk it.
With that said, how does anyone know if their daycare provider(s) have hepatitis? You wouldn't, because they aren't required to disclose a medical condition. How do you know your own pediatrician doesn't have it? Is this something everyone will now ask when they interview providers or centers? Would you ask if they have HIV/AIDS? What if a family member had it? Would you not allow your child to be around that family member? I think people are overeacting just a bit.
Of course you have to do what you are comfortable with, but just something to think about.
I know when I was dealing with little flower to find day care. They told me they have their providers checked for communicable diseases. Maybe day cares do the same? Not sure....new question for me to ask now.
I've never heard of being sent to a doctor to get an HIV or Hep. test to work in a daycare. Maybe someone that works in one can chime in. They don't even check the students for those things. What I am gathering is that they ask for the worker's (provider's) immunization records and those of the children that are being placed with the provider.
Can you imagine if someone wasn't hired because they had a disease such as AIDS/HIV or Hep? Talk about a discrimination suit waiting to happen. This is 2008, not 1980.
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| Posted 3/26/08 10:13 AM |
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