Hepatitis B and Canada Immigration

[shibuya]

Hepatitis B and Canada Immigration

Will Hepatitis B will cause a problem for Permanent Resident Visa Application. First, what is Hepatitis B?

From World Health Organization (WHO)

* Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease.
* The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person - not through casual contact.
* About 2 billion people worldwide have been infected with the virus and about 350 million live with chronic infection. An estimated 600 000 persons die each year due to the acute or chronic consequences of hepatitis B.
* About 25% of adults who become chronically infected during childhood later die from liver cancer or cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) caused by the chronic infection.
* The hepatitis B virus is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV.
* Hepatitis B virus is an important occupational hazard for health workers.
* Hepatitis B is preventable with a safe and effective vaccine.

From Health Canada


Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus. The virus is carried in blood and body fluids. It can lead to serious liver damage, life-long infection, liver cancer, liver failure and even death. Fortunately, there is a vaccine that can protect you against hepatitis B.

Now, with reference to medical inadmissibility rule, there are two concerns here. First, possible transmission to others and second, "excessive" demand in health services.

Then consider what is being done during the medical examination. The medical examination includes:

* complete physical examination for all family members;
* chest X-ray and a radiologist’s report for everyone aged 11 years and over;
* blood test for everyone aged 15 years or over;
* urinalysis for everyone aged 5 years or over;
* HIV testing for everyone aged 15 years or over, as well as for children who have received blood or blood products, or have a known HIV mother.

You and each of your family members will have to complete your own copy of the Medical Report, where you will have to write your answers to the questions on the form IMM 5419.

Question No. 8 is about Hepatitis.

When there is a history of hepatitis in those older than 15 years of age, the details from the applicant should include the date and type of hepatitis, if known.

Note: If the applicant is not excessive demand exempt, then the results of serum AST and ALT should be provided. If these are abnormal (greater than 1.5 X normal value), then a specialist’s report including hepatitis C antibodies and hepatitis B surface antigen should be provided.

Now, to answer the question whether those with Hepatitis B will cause refusal of Permanent Resident Visa application, I think it will be treated on a case to case basis. We have clients with Hepatitis but were issued visa.

 

[rKo]

thanks for sharing info, BTW am Hepatitis B Positive...

 

[shibuya]

That is sheer guts to declare. I liked ur honesty and pray if u have applied u make it and GOD BLESS U.

 

[piyek]

Hai there..I am hepatitis B carrier too and I am applying my PR within Canada..I did my medical yesterday and I told them that I have hepatitis B history and the doctor asked me to do more test for hepatitis B & C antigen and hepatitis B antibody ? What is that mean shibuya ? Could anybody explain about that and if they found out I am still hepatitis B carrier if possible they denied or reject my PR application ? Please anybody out there has same case with me please share..I am so worried about this matter, comment and advise really appreciated.

Once again thank you so much...

God bless you

 

[fozzy620]

Hi everyone,
I would like to share my experience regarding Hepatitis B decease and immigration to
Canada. First of all I succeed medical examination and received visas past week.
I have Hepatitis B for 15 years, received treatment and my physical condition is good
and stable. Although, I worried a lot about my chances to pass medical exams and to
immigrate to Canada.
I searched the web and found almost no information or someone's experience.
What I found, was an official guide on CIC site instructing the med. personal regarding
decision workflow and tests / documents required. From this document
(*** .cic.gc.ca/ english/ department/partner/pp/pdf/IMEI_Hepatitis.pdf), I learned
that Hepatitis B doesn't lead to med. exams failure automatically, but each case
examined specifically.
Following the guide, I prepared for the day of medical examination following documents
and test results (according to my test results you can judge your condition relative to
mine):
Hepatitis B Surface Ag : POSITIVE,Hepatitis B Core IgM: NEGATIVE,ALT (GPT): 38
U/l,,Hepatitis B PCR: HBV DNA not detected

Couple of weeks after I received visas together with my family. No additional test were
requested. Med. admissibility code in my visa is the same as for my wife and kids,
which are completely healthy.

Hope the information above was useful,
Good luck to you.

 

[sarlyy]

Hi everyone,
I would like to share my experience regarding Hepatitis B decease and immigration to
Canada. First of all I succeed medical examination and received visas past week.
I have Hepatitis B for 15 years, received treatment and my physical condition is good
and stable. Although, I worried a lot about my chances to pass medical exams and to
immigrate to Canada.
I searched the web and found almost no information or someone's experience.
What I found, was an official guide on CIC site instructing the med. personal regarding
decision workflow and tests / documents required. From this document
(*** .cic.gc.ca/ english/ department/partner/pp/pdf/IMEI_Hepatitis.pdf), I learned
that Hepatitis B doesn't lead to med. exams failure automatically, but each case
examined specifically.
Following the guide, I prepared for the day of medical examination following documents
and test results (according to my test results you can judge your condition relative to
mine):
Hepatitis B Surface Ag : POSITIVE,Hepatitis B Core IgM: NEGATIVE,ALT (GPT): 38
U/l,,Hepatitis B PCR: HBV DNA not detected

Couple of weeks after I received visas together with my family. No additional test were
requested. Med. admissibility code in my visa is the same as for my wife and kids,
which are completely healthy.

Hope the information above was useful,
Good luck to you.

Thank you for your detail information.

I have a question.

Are they asking blood test for HBV DNA?

Because I had first medical exam on April 28.
And after 2 weeks, I had additional blood test HBV and HCV ( result: HBsAg +, Hepatitis C ab -: May 14 )
After Physician told me I need Serum ALT test. (result: normal - May 21)

Yesterday I found E-cas message.

1.We received your application for permanent residence on December 22, 2014.
2.We started processing your application on June 8, 2015.
3.Medical results have been received.

In this case, am I pass the medical exam? or Are they asking additional test again (HBV DNA) ?

Please give me your advice.

 

[adnan2014]

Hi,

Bro please share updates?

AD

Thank you for your detail information.

I have a question.

Are they asking blood test for HBV DNA?

Because I had first medical exam on April 28.
And after 2 weeks, I had additional blood test HBV and HCV ( result: HBsAg +, Hepatitis C ab -: May 14 )
After Physician told me I need Serum ALT test. (result: normal - May 21)

Yesterday I found E-cas message.

1.We received your application for permanent residence on December 22, 2014.
2.We started processing your application on June 8, 2015.
3.Medical results have been received.

In this case, am I pass the medical exam? or Are they asking additional test again (HBV DNA) ?

Please give me your advice.

 

[adele2011]

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know that my husband is a Hep B carrier, he's healthy, but got this antigen. he did additional tests as it was directed by our therapist. We've already got our visas stamped, so don't worry. Everything will be ok.

But make sure that your virus is not in an active state, if it is, you will be advised to take some drugs and do another test in 6 months, that will may delay your application.

 

[adnan2014]

Thanks for your such a great response. May Allah (SWT) give you more blessing... I will take HBsAG test before CIC Medical appointment.
I did not get you for "But make sure that your virus is not in an active state".. you mean reactive ?

Regards,

AD

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know that my husband is a Hep B carrier, he's healthy, but got this antigen. he did additional tests as it was directed by our therapist. We've already got our visas stamped, so don't worry. Everything will be ok.

But make sure that your virus is not in an active state, if it is, you will be advised to take some drugs and do another test in 6 months, that will may delay your application.

 

[adele2011]

Hi Adnan,

Active state of the virus means that one can infect others.

Don't worry too much about the hep B, the fact is that CIC allows people pass the immigration with that condition .

Cheers

 

[adnan2014]

Hi Adele,

Thanks for your reply...

I got medical test report yesterday which i done via private lab... HBsAG test is reactive with cut off value 158... while LFT is perfectly normal & my health is good Alhumdullilah...
Is your husband main applicant ?
Should i inform Medical staff about my HBsAG ?

Regards,

AD

Hi Adnan,

Active state of the virus means that one can infect others.

Don't worry too much about the hep B, the fact is that CIC allows people pass the immigration with that condition .

Cheers

 

[adele2011]

hi, adnan. Congrats on your results. We disclosed the info about his hep b status, it's up to you to decide. I'm the main applicant in our case. good luck!

 

[adnan2014]

hi, adnan. Congrats on your results. We disclosed the info about his hep b status, it's up to you to decide. I'm the main applicant in our case. good luck!

Hi Sis,

I send you personal message...
Kindly check and reply...

Ad

 

[Remon.Soliman]

Hi guys I have a question please

I am the main applicant, my wife had heptaits C 5 years ago. She had cured but now her antibodies for Viurs C is positive but her PCR test is negative namely under 16. All other liver tests are good and showing no negative effect. What are your advices for preparing for medical exam?

Is it better to make test in advance antibodies+ PCR + liver tests and bring report from her doctor that she is okay and the Viurs is inactive and had no negative effect? Or do not mention the diseas history? But because she has tattoo, the doctor will ask for Viurs c and b antibodies. For sure C antibodies will be shown positive in the test result. Can I know what is the procedure the doctor will take in the 2 cases and your advices?

Thank you in advance

 

[BlueSun]

Hi everyone,
I would like to share my experience regarding Hepatitis B decease and immigration to
Canada. First of all I succeed medical examination and received visas past week.
I have Hepatitis B for 15 years, received treatment and my physical condition is good
and stable. Although, I worried a lot about my chances to pass medical exams and to
immigrate to Canada.
I searched the web and found almost no information or someone's experience.
What I found, was an official guide on CIC site instructing the med. personal regarding
decision workflow and tests / documents required. From this document
(*** .cic.gc.ca/ english/ department/partner/pp/pdf/IMEI_Hepatitis.pdf), I learned
that Hepatitis B doesn't lead to med. exams failure automatically, but each case
examined specifically.
Following the guide, I prepared for the day of medical examination following documents
and test results (according to my test results you can judge your condition relative to
mine):
Hepatitis B Surface Ag : POSITIVE,Hepatitis B Core IgM: NEGATIVE,ALT (GPT): 38
U/l,,Hepatitis B PCR: HBV DNA not detected

Couple of weeks after I received visas together with my family. No additional test were
requested. Med. admissibility code in my visa is the same as for my wife and kids,
which are completely healthy.

Hope the information above was useful,
Good luck to you.

Congratulations @fozzy620, you should be very happy... I am waiting for visa in the similar situation... hope all is good!