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Hepatitis C Rehashed

 
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bluetortilla



Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan

PostPosted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 4:36 am    Post subject: Hepatitis C Rehashed Reply with quote

I was told some years ago at a Japanese hospital that I tested positive for HCV antibodies but I never actually saw the report. Based on that information, I assume I have been exposed to the virus. My liver has been healthy and normal, which is fairly typical for many HC cases.

The consulate here insisted on a medical exam before applying for the Z Visa (I have my permit and invitation), and it is very thorough, including the liver function test, which would indicate inflammation, cirrhosis, or jaundice.

I won't guess on the stigma or immigration classifications of Hepatitis C in the PRC, but the point is that while I found several people who were ALLOWED a visa despite testing positive for Hep C, I could not find anyone who was NOT. If someone has those anecdotes they'd be helpful to folks like me.

Of course, I'm not under my school's wing yet, and I'm not sure how they will react if my test is indeed positive. I haven't bothered to call the consulate (I don't even have the test results yet), but I figure they'll either accept or they won't. I won't guess their motives either. If they don't, I guess I'll appeal to my school and if they won't help, well, I gave it my best shot. Onward ho!

By the way, my 82 year old aunt has hep C. Not a sign of liver disease. On the other hand, ironically and sad, I have another aunt who died from it in her 30's.

I found this about tourist visas and HIV/AIDS (of course not z Visas):

http://www.chinatravel.net/forum/Beijing-Is-Visa-obtainable-with-HCV-Hepatitis-C/2800.html

But all I can find on Hep C and z Visas are wishy washy forum messages like these:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/7614188/China-prepares-to-drop-ban-on-HIV-positive-tourists.html

Many people say that you will probably be deported/denied a visa for Hep C, but no one actually says they know anyone who was. It seems to me that if I were denied a visa because of a disease, I would certainly tell the forum(s) about it! It's a pretty big deal after enormous psychological preparation and work.

I'll definitely let this forum know either way.
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grape_fruit



Joined: 11 Aug 2011
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

And I have provable evidence of people being denied visas and being deported only because they have "significantly" high liver enzymes with negative viral titers. Everything is based on who makes a decision at that time, regardless of clinical findings or facts in some cases.

Your case is your case and will show the result.
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bluetortilla



Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 815
Location: Henan

PostPosted: Thu Dec 22, 2011 10:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

grape_fruit wrote:
And I have provable evidence of people being denied visas and being deported only because they have "significantly" high liver enzymes with negative viral titers. Everything is based on who makes a decision at that time, regardless of clinical findings or facts in some cases.

Your case is your case and will show the result.


As I have mentioned in earlier posts, things seem to be clamping down all over Asia. I'm starting to think of going to...(Panama perhaps??).

Elevated liver function is not contagious and may or may not point to heavy drinking. Do you have any more info on these denials/deportations of these unfortunate individuals?

China itself of course is full of cases of viral hepatitis and is experiencing an HIV bloom. As in all these visa issues, it's obviously ridiculous to think you can influence the disease spread much if any by barring foreigners that have them. HIV in particular has an extremely low rate of infection. Only educated people are capable of making prudent decisions regarding their lifestyle. Others get diseases without even doing anything one might consider 'risky.'

I don't want to go into politics though- things are the way they are and that's that. But if were to be at my most cynical I have to pose the rhetorical question: if I'm not allowed to live with Hep C in the PRC, then why should I be allowed to live anywhere at all?

I hope I get my visa. But I'm already studying up on Plan B.
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