A coworker just told me another employee has ocular herpes?

Question

A coworker just told me another employee has ocular herpes and when I started working there none of the managers informed me of this and the coworker does not take any care to try to prevent others from getting this from him. Is this illegal in some way? what should I do?

my question has nothing to do with gossip or who was supposed to tell me . that doesn't matter. what i want to know is if he should be taking precautions to prevent others from getting this and if he isn't then is it illegal? someone educated please answer the question. thanks

Answer 1

1) No, it's not illegal.....

2) relax, it's not the managers place to explain to office workers about their (or anyone elses health problems). Would you like it if they were talking about your diseases, whatever they may be, without your knowledge and consent?

http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-herpes.htm

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

You may have the same virus and not know it. A majority of people have the virus, which settles in the nerves leading to the face and remains dormant. They usually contract it during childhood. Most people show no signs or symptoms. Those that do show signs, develop symptoms around the mouth or face in general. Some develop signs in they eye which may lead to blindness, eventually.

The reason that your managers are not required to inform you is because you have already been exposed to it. Herpes is one of the most common viruses that affect humans. Cold sores are most often caused by the herpes virus. Most people carry dormant strains of the virus in their bodies at all times. A lowered immune system (as when you have a cold) allows the virus to become active, creating cold sores on the lips.

Basically, if you are human, you already have herpes, so informing you would be unnecessary. You cannot catch it from your coworker. You have already caught it from your mother. Whether or not it becomes active is dependent on your own immune system, not exposure to the coworker.

Answer 6

You have encountered what is known as the office gossip queen. She likes to spread rumors about others and will do the same about you--- you need to avoid her like the plague!!

My point is---- how do you know that the person who told you isn't just being a gossip queen and spreading rumors and LIES??! Unless you know for a FACT that the other person has ocular herpes then why does it matter?? ....and your boss isn't required to tell you anything for confidentiality reasons.

If your doctor found out that your wife had aids, the doctor legally would NOT be able to tell you even though he/she knows that you will be put at risk. Its called confidentiality. So no, your boss doesn't have to tell you about another persons medical problems--and is actually legally forbidden to do so.

Answer 7

No, it is not illegal at all. They don't have to tell you anything, and in fact CANNOT tell you. They can't tell you if another employee has HIV either. However, you can prevent problems very easily by WASHING YOUR HANDS. If you really are worried, buy some Purell hand sanitizer. You can get it for about $0.50 a bottle at Wal-Mart.

Answer 8

first of all you should take precautions at work when you go to the bathroom so whatever else you worried about dont because you can get it from whoever this person is unless yal have sex so put the protector on the toilet and leave it alone.Its illegal to spread this information around to other people you could be sued for passing thisw arrond to anybody else and it has nothing to do with gossip

Answer 9

You are fine you won't catch anything except WORRY! We are around people daily who have something that they don't even know they have so get over it and live life worry free!!!