Army veteran fears he was infected with hepatitis C at VA dental clinic

[AngryOldDem]

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/crime/army-veteran-fears-he-was-infected-with-hepatitis-c-at-va-dental-clinic-1132177.html

<<Charles Johnson already had endured his share of health problems, and then some: kidney cancer, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure and bad knees.
The 52-year-old Army veteran from Hamilton didn’t need the news that he was given recently: He is infected with hepatitis C. “Now I have one more thing — and all because a dentist wasn’t doing his damn job,” Johnson said.

Johnson served as a medic and an orderly in Ft. Carson, Colorado, from 1976 to 1979 and served another six years in the National Guard before earning an honorable discharge. Yvette believes that veterans like her husband deserve the best in medical care, but are receiving considerably less. “It’s not only a disservice to veterans but a disservice to their families,” she said. “I haven’t had good nights since this happened. I’m embarrassed that I have to go to my doctor, who is a friend, and tell him that I have to be tested for hepatitis and HIV.”

Johnson stopped working at a nursing home six years ago because of knee injuries he said he sustained during basic training. His kidney cancer is in remission after surgery in July. He has no private insurance, and he hasn’t sought treatment yet for hepatitis C. “How can I trust them in the future if you couldn’t trust them for the past 18 years?” Johnson asked. “You put it all together and I’m damn near afraid to walk through the door.”<<
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I saw this story yesterday and it just enraged me. The Dayton VA says that 535 people may have been infected by this guy over an 18-year period, but Johnson thinks it's more -- a whole lot more, which makes sense, given the lengthy time period. Apparently this dentist did not follow standard practice procedures such as wearing gloves and sterilizing equipment after each use.

But what saddens me the most is that the man in the story doesn't want to go back to the VA because he's too scared to do so. It is shameful the way veterans are treated in this country.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. My doctor was army trained and refused to serve in Gulf War I

because she was told to give a shot to troops that she believed was harmful. She went to prison and almost lost her medical license.