Are routine exams covered by NHS?

[Camminare]

Are in Uk the periodic exams free of charge for people with hepatitis B, such as transaminasi, HBV DNA, scan, Fibroscan etc? Are they covered by NHS?

[AyrshireK]

Yes, all routine monitoring of any health condition is free of charge via the NHS. The National Health Service provides healthcare for all UK citizens. The care you can get is based on your needs, not on what you can pay.

Katie

[Camminare in reply to AyrshireK]

Thanks Katie. I recently moved to Uk, so I don’t know exactly how the National Health Service works. In the country where I come from, I could have all the laboratory exams, scan and Fibroscan free of charge as I have a chronic pathology (hepatitis B). What I have to pay if my GP prescribe blood exams to check s-gammaGt, HBV DNA etc? Many thanks.

[AyrshireK in reply to Camminare]

If you are not a UK citizen then there are various circumstances that might come into play.

This is .gov information on NHS entitlements for migrants. gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitle...

Hope you get your monitoring sorted.

Katie

[Camminare in reply to AyrshireK]

Hi Katie I have a pre-settle status confirmed so I’m considered as Uk citizen. How long does it take for this kind of exams especially laboratory exams such as HBV DNA and Fibroscan?

[AyrshireK in reply to Camminare]

I have no idea, are your registered with a GP? That would be your first port of call.

[Camminare in reply to AyrshireK]

Many thanks. What about the Covid19 vaccine Astra Zeneca for those who have Hepatitis B? Can this vaccine damage more a liver with this disease?

[AyrshireK in reply to Camminare]

My husband has cirrhosis due to auto immune hepatitis so i've no personal experience with Hep B. However, my husband and I (as his carer) both had the Oxford Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccination a fortnight ago with no lasting ill effects.

[Camminare in reply to AyrshireK]

Thank you very much indeed

[Camminare]

Can you loose your job as teacher if you have Hepatitis B?

[AyrshireK in reply to Camminare]

I very, very much doubt it as this would be discriminatory, however, it may be something you wish to discuss with occupational health in your workplace. I know of nurses, home care workers and others who have the condition. The NHS has a page dedicated to Hepatitis B which might be useful to you.

nhs.uk/conditions/hepatitis-b/

Katie

[GarryS in reply to Camminare]

I'm a retired teacher who has HepB. My school knew I had HepB and it was never a problem. I was a Science teacher so I avoided anything that might have risked cuts eg. Scalpels. I let colleagues know that if I cut myself I would deal with it etc. Losing a job because of it is not possible I am sure because it would be discrimination, check with union.

[Camminare in reply to GarryS]

Thanks a lot GarryS

[Camminare in reply to GarryS]

GarryS, do you know how long does it take for exams to check s-gammaGt, HBV DNA etc and for a Fibroscan? Do you pay for them?

[GarryS in reply to Camminare]

Tests form part of my regular 6 monthly checks with my hospital consultant. No, they cost me nothing - all covered by the NHS.

[Camminare in reply to GarryS]

As a carrier of the Hep B virus are you considered to be disabled? if so, in what percentage?

[GarryS in reply to Camminare]

Never considered myself disabled! Am symptomless and my viral load is undetectable - I take tenofovir and lamivodine.

[Camminare in reply to GarryS]

To GarrySThanks GarryS, in my country a carrier of Hep B is considered unable at 40%. I have this percentage of inability so all the exams are free for me. I have a replication of the virus of 653 diagnosed by HDV DNA, and at the moment I don’t take any medication, just checking every six months in my country the routine exams. For the recent travel restrictions I can’t go home now, this is why I wondered if I could have the same treatment here in Uk. By the way I’m eu citizens and I’ve been working here for 3ys. What is your virus replication (HDV DNA)?

[GarryS in reply to Camminare]

Virus replication not sure but viral load is undetectable. I've been told I'm not infectious. Speak to a GP initially if your residency gives you access to NHS. Where are you from originally?

[Camminare in reply to GarryS]

Italy

[GarryS in reply to Camminare]

Plenty of Italians live in UK, one of my doctors was Italian. Speak to your registered GP or else visit your local GUM/sexual health clinic for advice.

[Camminare in reply to Camminare]

Have you ever checked your HDV DNA? It tells you about the replication of the virus

[Camminare in reply to Camminare]

Sorry I ment HBV DNA.

[Camminare in reply to Camminare]

GerryS, what is a GUM/sexual health clinic?

[Kristian in reply to Camminare]

Having a long term chronic condition that requires daily medication to keep it in check would normally be covered by the Equalities Act in the UK. This gives you protections against discriminatory practices. Hence the reason your employer wouldn't be able to sack you just because you have it.

Having Hepatitis B doesn't class you as 'Disabled' however you will still be covered by the act in the same way someone who does have a more obvious physical disability would be. It basically means that you cannot be treated any less favourably because of your disease. It wont though get you a blue badge to park your car on double yellow lines, lol.

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NHS treatment is free in the UK if you are a UK citizen. There may be a delay in some diagnostic tests due to backlog of appointments and Covid. We would suggest to discuss with your GP.