The response consistent with DOLE policy
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Department Advisory No. 05, series of 2010, sets the workplace policy on hepatitis B. Under it, workers may not be discriminated against in hiring, promotion, or assignment because of their hepatitis B status, they cannot be compelled to disclose their status, and their results are confidential. An HBsAg-positive worker may not be declared unfit without proper medical evaluation and counseling. The nurse keeps her result private and explains that it is no basis for rejecting her.
Why hepatitis B status alone does not affect fitness for this job
Hepatitis B spreads through blood and sexual contact, and from mother to child at birth. It is not spread through ordinary work contact, sharing a workspace, or handling products on a packing line. This woman has a positive HBsAg with a normal ALT and no symptoms, which suggests chronic infection without active liver inflammation at this time. She needs medical follow-up for her own health, but her infection poses no risk to co-workers in ordinary work.
Why the other responses are wrong
| Response | Problem |
|---|
| Assign her to work alone, away from co-workers | Discrimination in assignment; casual contact does not spread hepatitis B |
| Share the result so the company can arrange follow-up | Breaches confidentiality; workers cannot be compelled to disclose status |
| Wait until a repeat HBsAg test is negative | Chronic infection may never clear; this is discrimination based on status |
| Keep the result private; it is no basis for rejection | Consistent with DOLE policy |
Watch out! Sharing the result so that the company can arrange follow-up sounds helpful, which makes it an attractive distractor. Good intentions do not override confidentiality. The occupational health nurse can report to the manager only whether the applicant is fit to work, without giving the diagnosis.
Counseling the worker
The nurse explains what a positive HBsAg means, refers her for medical evaluation including liver tests and hepatitis B markers, and teaches how to prevent transmission: not sharing razors or toothbrushes, covering cuts, practicing safer sex, and advising vaccination of household and sexual contacts. If she becomes pregnant, her baby will need the hepatitis B birth dose and hepatitis B immune globulin promptly after birth. She is reassured that she can work normally.
Exam takeaway
Under DOLE policy, hepatitis B status is confidential and cannot be used to refuse hiring, deny promotion, or change assignments. Key point! The occupational health nurse reports fitness for work, not the diagnosis.