Fear of Needles?

We did not go into medicine to conquer our fear of needles. However, if you are like me somewhere along the way the fear develops. In caring for patients with HIV, Hep C and other blood borne illnesses there develops a certain level of risk when placing IV lines. We have all had co-workers who have suffered needle sticks. It does happen - and more often than we would like.

Dr.Dieterich

It also happened to Dr. Douglas Dieterich (Director of Outpatient Hepatology) at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Years ago, as a third year medical student he contracted Hepatitis C from a needle stick and subsequently made treating Hepatitis his life's passion. He has succeeded and has cured his own illness and countless others.

Check out the New York Times feature on him here:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/from-needle-stick-to-cure-for-hepatitis/?ref=health

Well done!