Job Discussion Forums

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

Okay, this is really embarrassing to ask, but I have to know, so here goes: I have genital herpes. Don't worry, I always tell um first. Here's the thing, though. I'm getting worried that this is gonna shoot down my whole TEFL teaching plan. First of all, do I have to take a physical before I go teach no matter where I go? Second, do most countries wanna know about that before you come teach for them or will they not even ask? Third, if they don't ask before I come over, how will they react if they find out when I get there? If I go to a clinic, do they have to report me as a public health risk? What if things go bad between me and some woman I decided to date and she rats me out? Can I get the daily treatment I take now there? Sorry to ask so many questions at once, but like I said, I'm worried now that this is gonna shoot down my whole plan. If anyone out there has this, too, please IM me and tell me how you're handling it. Thanx for all the help, guys.

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 8:40 pm Post subject:

I can only comment on Japan and China, but in either case I think you'd be fine. They were mainly testing for HIV in China, and for Japan (I think) I had to get a few shots for TB and stuff like that. In other words, they would probably ignore (if they even noticed) something like herpes.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

I am in Korea and I have never had to take a physical. So you would not have to worry if you came here.

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:22 am Post subject: Re: VERY personal question

Personal health questions are no one's business. I only reveal what I must and use my own discretion as to what that should be when faced with nosey physical examinations/doctors.

Just go to a doctor in Seoul/Pusan for your Rx. Don't do it in your local town. Koreans gossip like wildfire.

Be smart - take your prophylactic dose and you'll have no problems.
And, uh. . . get over your guilt thing. Be responsible and you'll need no guilt.

Everyone over 45 probably has health problems they wouldn't/don�t want to discuss in public - I certainly do!

Perhaps I should tell you about my problem with . . . Ick! Rolling Eyes

And, uh, my other problem with . . . Crying or Very sad

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Omeo · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 245

Don't I have to take a physical before I go anywhere? Of course I'm smart enough not to mention it during an interview or an application, but don't I have to be cleared by my doctor before I go? I'm more worried about THEM telling on me.

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 11:48 pm Post subject:

Physical before you go?

Most places, no.

If yes, most physicals - look to see if you are breathing only.

Some - maybe an AIDS test/TB screen, etc. - maybe.

Very few physicals are thorough - and almost none are going to have you dropping your pants. Of those - if you are taking your prophylactic doses of meds - nothing to reveal. No? (I am assuming you are talking about genital [will that get beeped?] herpes) - maybe different if you have a big sore on your lips or something . . .

Have you been branded on the forehead? If not, I'm not sure how it is you expect people/doctors/immigration/my mom to know?

If branded - just wear a "do rag" Laughing

I hope you get my humor - but really - think all this through in a relaxed manner - logically - and you'll see you really don't need to worry about it.

Frankly, it's all those d*amn diabetics I'm worried about. Shocked