kids hcv and puplic schools

[skyler411]

IF YOU HAVE A CHILD WITH HCV DO YOU  HAVE TO LET THE SCHOOL SYSTEM KNOW ?IF SO WILL THEY BE RESTRICTED FOR SPORTS?? WHERE IS THE LEGAL OBLIGATION OR IS THERE  ANY?

[copyman]

agree with the others. great advice. DON'T DISCLOSE

[FlGuy]

The last place I'd open up about HCV is a kid's school.  Too much opportunity for the kids to be singled out, excluded, ostracized and isolated.  Think about it, many doctors don't have a clue about treatment/risks/ramifications of HCV and to put that tidbit into the minds of "educators" is a recipe for disaster for the kid.  It's none of their business and no good can come from it.

The only obligation that you might have is if the kid needs to take medication during the scool day and if they are HCV meds the timing would likely be before school and after school hours anyway.

[nygirl7]

I dont think you have to but the better question for you is how old is the child and do they realize they can spread this disease to a classmate if they are to get in a fight or something like that?  Like they are old enough not to play blood brothers or whatever those things we did in innocence when we were children?

I think this is not a legal issue but more an ethical/moral type one and depends on the situation.  There is a huge stigma but mostly the stigma is for those of us who they are sure are sex fiend drug addicts and your child wouldn't fall into that category luckily.

[HectorSF]

You don't have to tell anyone.

All schools are required by law to treat all contact with blood as though the child may have an infectious disease. Latex Gloves and proper disposal of anything with blood on it. Remember that most people, children included, with HCV are undiagnosed so are unaware of even having the virus.

You may want to tell the school nurse about your child's status, but be aware that depending how enlightened the nurse and school is, your child could suffer from discrimination. Which for a child could be one the worse things about having chronic HCV.

For more information go online to "Parents of kids with infectious Diseases". They have tons of info for you.

If you are still concerned, talk to your doctor, they can tell you what others do. If you have an attorney you could also talk to them.

Good luck to you.
Hectorsf