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Medical clearance

 
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bolivers



Joined: 20 Nov 2011
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:29 am    Post subject: Medical clearance Reply with quote

I had syphilis in the past and blood tests show that I still have antibodies for that in my blood. I do not have it any longer and a separate blood test can verify that. I'm just wondering if it is worth my while to pursue a job in Saudi Arabia knowing that the initial screening will reveal syphilis antibodies in my blood. What are the chances that the embassy in Washington DC will approve me for a visa?
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Badar Bin Bada Boom



Joined: 01 Jun 2011
Posts: 192
Location: Fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man

PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No offense, but your post somewhat resembles a trolling exercise. Do they really look for antibodies to reveal something that other blood tests show you don't have? Sounds like you worry too much if not a troll.

Generally speaking, though, you should appear to be morally immaculate to the hypocrites of the Gulf who stream into Bahrain or Dubai for profligate weekends of debauchery and expect us to be ethereal little angels. Especially when it comes to work visas.
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bolivers



Joined: 20 Nov 2011
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't know what a trolling exercise is, but i looked at the medical form that lists the required blood tests, and the test for antibodies is among them. This is the usual protocol. Most blood tests simply test for the presence of antibodies and a positive result means further testing must be done to determine if the actual disease is present. Perhaps i am a little anal about it, but I don't want to bother with applying, interviewing, paying for medical tests, etc if the embassy will likely reject me when they know i once had syphilis.
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 4:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You might want to apply to Gulf jobs outside of Saudi... where they don't require silly things like tests for schistosomiasis, etc etc. They are only looking for AIDs, Hepatitis or TB

VS
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DirtGuy



Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Posts: 529

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 3:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bolivars or anyone else:

Where do you find this information as to the specific diseases they're looking for? I searched and didn't find what I wanted?

Thanks.

DirtGuy
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 3:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

DirtGuy, you'll find the medical requirements for visas on each country's embassy website. For example, the Saudi Embassy's employment visa instructions for U.S. citizens, http://www.saudiembassy.net/services/Employment-visa.aspx, includes a link to their medical form.
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DirtGuy



Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Posts: 529

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't have bolivar's problem but does anyone know if the herpes virus will show up in a blood test and if that is enough to prevent getting a visa? Nothing else I saw on that medical form bothers me.

Thanks.

DirtGuy
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There isn't one universal list of med exams; each country has their own medical requirements for visas. Therefore, if a disease or medical disorder isn't indicated for a particular country, you wouldn't be tested for it.
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DirtGuy



Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Posts: 529

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK, I did some online research but what I read is inconclusive. It looks like the blood test will reveal the antibodies in your blood which means you have/had the disease but nothing else.

So my question to everyone is the same as bolivar: Do you any of you know if this is something that could keep you from getting a visa? Is there any way to find this out ahead of time or do you just apply and keep your fingers crossed?

Thanks.

DirtGuy
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nearly everyone has the Herpes virus... ever had a cold sore? same virus. I don't think there even is a test for it. Definitely wouldn't worry about it.

VS
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ultraman111



Joined: 17 Sep 2011
Posts: 148

PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 10:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

what about the urine test...? would they be checking for alcohol etc?
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2011 11:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ultraman111 wrote:
what about the urine test...? would they be checking for alcohol etc?


The purpose of the medical exam is to check your health�not screen for drugs and alcohol. Go to the link I provided previously in this thread for the Saudi medical form to see which physical disorders, diseases, and specimen components (e.g., glucose, proteins, blood cells, etc.) the exam and lab tests measure or look for. BTW, for some reason, the med form for Americans lists more requirements on it than the forms used for other nationalities. Go figure.
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posh



Joined: 22 Oct 2010
Posts: 430

PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 10:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ultraman111 wrote:
what about the urine test...? would they be checking for alcohol etc?


Hehe. You need a full medical to get the visa into Saudi, then once there you need to have another one. Or, at least my employer (government) required it. This included a blood test, urine test and a stool - and it wasn't for sitting on.

So within a week of each other I got the all clear. But I'll never forget sitting in the waiting room and reading through the medical check-list, which had a section for drugs. Having spent the previous month wandering round London in the company of my good friend Mr Wacky Baccy, I thought, Well, that's this job up the spout, but then the doctor came in and told me all was well. Wink
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teechagimme



Joined: 29 Dec 2010
Posts: 56
Location: S. Korea

PostPosted: Fri Dec 30, 2011 5:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What medical problems will they deny the visa for? Diabetes? Depression? ADHD? A bladder infection? Myopia? Strabismus?

I've looked at the form and it seems to be very thorough, like they won't deny you for a problem but they want to know about it. Am I wrong?
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