What are the Risks of Careers in Healthcare?
Virtually all careers in health care carry some element of risk to health. Some of these risks are fairly easy to identify, like long-term exposure to X-rays, or to communicable illnesses. Those who pursue careers in health care also face other risks. Almost all careers in health care put people into daily contact with latex, through gloves and other latex equipment. Those with careers in health care are at a greatly increased risk for developing allergies to latex, which can be challenging to one in the health care field. If one develops latex allergies, significant modifications must be made in behavior to eliminate risk for those with allergies. Latex allergies can cause anaphylactic shock and extreme respiratory problems. Since so many things in hospitals contain latex, those with careers in health care may need to change jobs to limit exposure. Alternately, they need to wear non-latex gloves and not work with patients who may have latex bandages or tubing to avoid health risk. Car
