HERPES

Does Herpes Affect my Employment Possibilities?

Dear Dr. Tom:

I was wondering if genital herpes is commonly a disqualifying factor, when found in a pre-employment doctors physical. (Police, Fire & Medical Fields) Does genital herpes "show up" in a blood test that is conducted in these physicals ?

Thanks for your time…….Karen S.

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Dr. Tom’s Response:

Dear Karen S.:

I cannot vouch for the way communities screen their candidates’ pre- employment public service physicals, so I am unable to state what they commonly do/do not look for. I doubt seriously if any pre-employment blood test examines specifically for anti-herpes antibody. These pre-employment tests are usually CBC (complete blood count), blood chemistry and nearly always a urine screening procedure for presence of drugs in the system. At one time a routine VDRL or RPR card test (on blood serum or plasma) for syphilis was done, but that has been dropped in many places. Consult your local library for a manual that will describe the requirements and limitations for many such jobs, commonly shelved within the Documents section. These information manuals will usually state clearly any disqualifying conditions.

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