Can you work while on treatment?

Some patients keep a normal work schedule while they are on treatment. Others may have to cut down their work hours or stop working altogether. The side effects are different for every patient, so it is hard to say how much hepatitis C treatment will affect your work schedule.

Here are some work-related factors to consider before starting treatment:

• If your job is busier or more stressful during certain times of the year (for example, during the holidays), ask your doctor about beginning treatment at the start of a less busy period.
• You also might ask your employer about the possibility of lessening the number of hours you work or going on short-term medical disability leave. This is in case the drug therapy makes you feel worse than you expect and you need to take some time off.
• Learn about your rights in the workplace. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says that employers can't discriminate because of a person's disability (such as a physical illness). Depending upon your situation, the ADA may apply.

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