Hepatitis B Injection

[RoBb]

Hi everyone,

Sorry to keep asking questions but am studying ITEC A&P and Massage qualification (practical exam tomorrow aaahh). My tutor has told me that a hepatitis b injection is essential for a massage therapist. However I went to my doctors surgery yesterday to have one and the

y wouldn't give me one as they say it isn't necessary for a massage therapist. Am confused. Please can anyone advise if it is necessary to have one as if so I may have to change my surgery.

Many thanks.

Jo x

 

[Pedy123]

Never heard of that one before!

 

[Elizabet]

Never had to have one until I began working in the NHS and that was a few years after college and qualifying.. Hope that helps . Liz x

 

[anewsiiy]

I've not heard anywhere that I should have one.

 

[Dotty]

I've been working as an NHS therapist and was advised to have the jab, just in case I came into contact with a patient with the disease, but it was not a requirement of the job. Many of those affected don't realise they have it. I can see the practical side to this, specially when working with vulnerable people who are already quite poorly (I worked in cancer and palliative care).

You are at risk, because you have skin to skin contact when you work. If you are going to treat people who might have open sores, or if you work with needles, then this is a more viable reason to haveit. You could have it as a precaution, just in case you got a scratch and had contact but this is highly unlikely to happen. But if you follow the rules with regards infection control and hygiene, you should not be at any risk.

Ultimately you have to follow your gut instinct with these things.

 

[????s??]

Are you planning to have sex with your clients or share their dirty needles?

 

[jimbo]

Heavens, Kdvp - hep B is actually more widespread/easily contracted than aids, and ALL people who work in a personal care situation (which therapists mostly do NOT!) are advised to have it - applies generally to NHS staff - nurses etc and professional care workers. So I wouldn't worry: as Gussie says, just be very aware of hygiene and infection control which are pre-requisites anyway.

 

[AnneC]

Thanks everyone for taking time to reply. This forum is a Godsend!

Thanks again.

Jo

 

[John Victor]

Which is not very easy at all. These things do not drift in on a breeze we can all be reassured to know.