Question

[kwalsh257]

Hi everyone, this is my first post and hopefully not my last. I was wondering if anybody out there knew the policy on hepatitis c and enlisting in the military (prefably the United states Marine Corps). Before anybody stops reading I want to point out a couple of things: I have never used any types of drugs in my life, and I have never put myself in any position that would allow me to contarct any such virus. Heres my story:

About a year ago I donated blood to the red cross and about 2 weeks later I got a letter saying I was most likely infected with hepatitis C. I went to the doctor and had 2 more blood tests to be sure that they were right. Sure enough I had it. We figured out that I contracted it from my birth mother who was a drug user. I had a liver biopsy saying that I had some scarring but nothing too bad. I then tried interveron treatment for about 3 months which didnt work. Here I am, 6 months later, wondering if I still have any chance in joining the Marines or any branch of the military. (Joining the Marines has been my life long goal, but I will gladly join any branch that accepts me). If anybody has any information it would be a big help to me. Somebody once told me that the military dosnt check for it which leads me to believe that I can join with it.....af anybody has any information that would be awesome. Thanks to all

-Kev

[GySgtRet]

Thank you for your interest in the Marine Corps and for filling in your profile. The best advice that I can give you is for you to take your medical history into a Marine recruiter and be up front and honest. Chances are good in you favor as long as there isn't any more scaring in the tisuues of your liver. If it has been halted, your chances are even better. What I am having a hard time comprehending is how a blood donation caused this to occur? Have you confronted the donation site to see what can be done and have they cleaned up their area?

[kwalsh257]

Thank you for your reply. I should have been more clear, I must have contracted the virus from my mother and it was discovered after donating blood. There is something like a 4% chance of contracting it it during birth and I happened to be a part of that 4%. I didn't find out about it until I donated blood, I've lived my whole life playing sports and being active with no signs of it all. The biopsy showed scarring but it wasn't that bad. Fortunately for me I don't drink, as alcohol increases scarring in your liver. I'm more concerned about not getting into the military because hep c can be contracted from blood to blood contact. I've tried doing searches on google but couldn't find any information really about hepatitis C in the military. I wish there was more info to help me out.........many people (more than you would like to believe) have hep c and don't even know about it......so I'm sure the military accepts people with it....but then again, I'm not really sure.

[GySgtRet]

I did a google search and found this link:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Careers-Military-Army-1483/indexExp_11058.htm

it is a long list and I did not research it. Maybe it is a place you can start for your answers.