Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

HIV,Hepatitis and TB

[Mia Xanthi]

The actual KSA medical is very minimal. You will be asked to give a urine sample and blood samples, which, as I understand it, are only screened for HIV and hepatitis. You will also have a chest x-ray for tuberculosis, and a very cursory physical examination.

I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you know you have one of the above medical problems. I know lots of people, many of them older people, with fairly significant (and sometimes even major) medical problems. No one that I know has been turned back for this medical exam. Things like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and other common problems of middle age usually make no difference at all in this medical exam.

(I don't mean to assume that you are middle-aged or that you have health problems )

[megone]

Thanks so much! This helps a lot.

[veiledsentiments]

[bad cowboy]

If you are coming from the USA (not sure about other countries) and the doctor is testing for Hep A, make sure he or she orders the test for the Hep A ANTIGEN--not ANTIBODY The test usually needs to be sent off for results, so mistakes/do-overs could add a significant amount of time until your deployment.

If you are immunized, you will have the antibody...but that is not what is being asked for. They are asking for the presence of a Hep A Antigen (which is the thing that gets you sick in the first place). Basically, not everybody is immunized....but that's not a crime...so they test to see if you are, more importantly, infected--as opposed to immunized.

Also, if your hurried and confused doctor tests for antibodies--which is absolutely the wrong test--he or she will be embarrassed by the sophomoric error, and will probably try to cover it up by avoiding you, only to tell you a couple of weeks later that more bloodwork is needed (where other tests will be repeated, as well, in order to throw you off the trail of the Hep A mistake.) If you do not have health insurance, and this happens...ask for an itemized receipt! The doctor should always assume financial responsibility for his practice's mistakes/repeats.

Obviously, being immunized is loads better than simply being not "as of yet" infected. However, some member of the monarchy probably designed the enigmatic / ambiguous medical form to begin with. So, whatever it takes...DO WHAT THE EMBASSY TELLS YOU TO DO. If it's a letter, write a letter. If it's a hoop, jump through it. Just let them save face. The emperor always wears clothes. That is the key. Nothing is ever written in stone, they just really try to make it look that way. All of their forms have glitches and anomalies (and they know this). So just show respect, act like it was your fault, and ask how it can be resolved. You'll be on your way in no time.

VS: Urine is commonly tested for sugars, albumin, and VD .

[scot47]

They might be interested in the VD - not in blood sugar level or albumin.

[Mia Xanthi]

It is also very likely that the urine test for women is also so that they can determine if she is pregnant. Since it is illegal for an unmarried woman to be pregnant in KSA, they would probably want to get her out of there fast.

[007]

[Mia Xanthi]

007, I rarely discuss the issue of abortion in America with other Americans, and I am not about to discuss it with you on a website that is devoted to EFL/ESL jobs.

The issue of pregnancy in Saudi Arabia is a relevant one, as it could affect a woman's ability to get a visa for a job here.

The issue of pregnancy of a Saudi woman as a result of rape or as a result of fornication or adultery may be interesting for discussion in terms of religion and in terms of human rights, but it bears no relationship to the topic at hand in this thread.

I know that you are bored, 007, but don't try to stir up trouble, especially in a month that is supposed to be about peace.

[007]

Teta Mia, may peace be upon you, and may GOD protect you from the evils of the hidden world.
Amen.

[megone]

So, if a person tests positive for Hepatitis "antibodies," but your MD writes a letter stating you are not "infected," will KSU, specifically, the US Saudi embassy, still approve a visa?

Also, if KSU or any country denies a visa for health reasons, is there a federal (US) or international database containing "visa denied" status that other countries can access and reject a person's future visa applications as well? A friend of mine was warned of this though I'm not sure if his account is accurate.

[Stephen Jones]

[megone]

[quote="Stephen Jones"][quote]
There are certain professions, such as University lecturers, that are exempt from the ban on working with hepatitis C. If you are capable of persuading the Saudi Embassy of that to get the initial visa, good luck to you![/quote]

Thanks Stephen for clarifying. That was very helpful. One question though: why would one have to try to persuade the embassy to issue the initial visa if university instructors are exempt from the ban?

[Stephen Jones]

The embassy has instructions that anybody who tests positive for hepatitis C should not be issued with a visa.

The regulation I am referring to is not well known. I have a copy because the Saudi doctor in Dammam made a photocopy but nobody in the university knows anything about it.

As I said for B or A it is the antigen which goes away. C is incurable, though if you take the correct drugs (including the same prescribed for aids) the infection may almost disappear. If you have C get treatment in your home country, as the Saudis don't bother, and it is pretty ineffective after more than six years. Also the side effects are unpleasant and you would be better not working whilst taking the medication.

[megone]

Valuable info Stephen. Thanks.