I’m a student of Pharmacy (B.Pharm). I am very much interested in pursuing my higher studies in US or Canada. But i am a patient of Hepatitis B as Chronic Inactive Carrier having HBsAg test Positive (+ve) only, and, HBeAg & HBV-DNA tests are Negative (-ve). Am i eligible to get the VISA and Admission in US and Canadian Universities ?
Hepatitis B and Studying in USA
Here are few answers regarding Immunization for International Students.
You would need to contact few universities and take the following statements to a doctor to confirm if you will be eligible.
From Foothill College
What is hepatitis B?
Infection with the hepatitis B virus causes the disease hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can cause liver failure and liver cancer. Approximately 60 to 80% of primary liver cancers in the world are caused by hepatitis B infection. Currently 1.25 million people in the U.S. have hepatitis B, and an estimated 60,000 people become infected every year. In the U.S., 5,000 people die every year from liver cancer or liver failure caused by hepatitis B; worldwide, a million people do.
Can I be tested for hepatitis B?
Yes, you can be tested with the hepatitis B surface antigen and surface antibody tests. The hepatitis B surface antigen test tells if you have chronic hepatitis B. The hepatitis B surface antibody test tells if you are protected against hepatitis B.
Is there a vaccine for hepatitis B?
Yes, there is a vaccine for hepatitis B. People who have not been vaccinated for hepatitis B should get the three-shot hepatitis B vaccination series. If you have had the hepatitis B surface antigen and surface antibody tests and had negative results, this means that you are not protected against hepatitis B and that you should get vaccinated. All newborns should also be vaccinated at birth. The hepatitis B vaccine is very effective at preventing hepatitis B and liver cancer. The World Health Organization has called the hepatitis B vaccine the “first anti-cancer vaccine.”
From George Mason University
Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV infection can affect people of all ages and lead to liver disease. Some people are never able to rid themselves of the virus, and this long-term, or chronic, HBV infection can cause chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and death.
The virus is found in the blood and body fluids of infected people and is most often spread among adults through sexual contact or by sharing needles and other drug paraphernalia with an infected person.
HBV can also be spread in households of HBV-infected persons or by passage of the virus from an HBV-infected mother to her infant during birth.
Hepatitis B can be a silent disease, often infecting many people without making them feel sick. Unfortunately, 30 percent of those infected with HBV are not aware that they are carriers and can infect others. Hepatitis B symptoms might include loss of appetite, fatigue, stomachache, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the whites of the eyes (jaundice), and/or joint pain. Vaccination can help prevent people from contracting hepatitis B.
The HBV vaccine is 96 percent effective following a series of three shots over a six-month period. The most common side effect of the vaccine is soreness at the injection site. Vaccine recipients
cannot get the disease from the vaccine
Hello All,
I am Raju and I have undergone Kidney transplant in 2003 and my sister donated kidney to me, after transplant I do not have any issues and everything normal. But I am one few medications to be continued throughout life time. My question is am I eligible to get F1 visa and H1B later.
I appreciate you comments.
Thanks
Raju
Hi Raju,
I am trying hard to recall if my application forms / and H1 Visa forms prohibited me form applying based on health condition and unfortunately I dont recall.
What I would do in your condition is that get in touch with the Admission advisor.
Cheers,
Gargi
Thank a lot ….
Would you please inform, from which State University have you completed your Graduation. Do you have any approximation about Canadian universities condition in this regard ?
Hi Erfan,
Unfortunately I have no idea about Canadian Universities.
I graduated from San Jose State University.
Cheers
Gargi
Thanx a lot … Sister. At present, i am preparing for GRE, hope to set for the exam in October.
Best of luck Brother… and do drop in a msg in case you are coming to USA for your MS.. we have Hep B Bonding
Actually I am very much tensed about it & i would like to know that, is there any record of anyone studying in US or Canadian Universities having such Chronic Inactive Carrier state. Physician said, my Liver is not affected but i am just carrying the Virus.
Would you please inform ….
Hi
I am Hep B inactive Carrier too and I graduated from a state University in Spring 2012. To the best of my knowledge it does not impact your application/ admission or stay.
But, most of the state want to keep an close count of incidences with Hep B and ensure that people you are in direct contact with are tested regular. Let me explain this a little more. I was detected with Hep B (thumbs down for being so dumb for not getting it checked earlier
) when I was pregnant with my son. Once you are a Hep B case you case is forwarded to the State health council. Now its the responsibility of the State health council to educated the carrier and people in direct contact of the carrier. Ideally if the count (I dont recall the exact medical term) is more than a certain number you need to see and doctor and make sure you dont donate blood or have a open wounds etc. And your physician is probably correct that you liver is not affected but its definitely sensitive , so go easy on drinks or some medicines!
To ease your tension, its really not a big deal plus its common for people traveling from India to be a Hep B Carrier (This was told by my physician). So relax!
Let me know if you have any question, I am following this post.
Good Luck
Gargi