![1067theFan[1]](https://cbswashington.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/1067thefan1.png?w=76){kind=small}
![1580AM[1]](https://cbswashington.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/1580am1.png?w=108){kind=small}
WASHINGTON (AP) – The federal government has moved to protect hepatitis B-positive health care providers and students studying for a career in medicine or dentistry from being targeted because of their diagnosis.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently declared in a legal settlement that hepatitis B patients are protected by federal disability law. Separately, federal health officials have issued a revised set of guidelines that make it clear that health care workers and students who carry the hepatitis B virus generally pose little or no risk to patients.
Advocates say the new health guidelines and the Justice Department settlement give health professionals and students a pair of powerful tools to combat discrimination.
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
