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CDC says 3 women diagnosed with HIV after receiving 'vampire facial'

This electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health shows a human T cell, in blue, under attack by HIV, in yellow, the virus that causes AIDS. Seth Pincus, Elizabeth Fischer, Austin Athman/AP hide caption

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Seth Pincus, Elizabeth Fischer, Austin Athman/AP

Health

CDC says 3 women diagnosed with HIV after receiving 'vampire facial'

Although HIV transmission from contaminated blood through unsterile injection is a well-known risk, the CDC said this is the first documentation of probable infections involving cosmetic services.

Want to stop needle phobia in adults? Make shots less painful for kids
Jackyenjoyphotography/Getty Images

Short Wave

Want to stop needle phobia in adults? Make shots less painful for kids

According to the CDC, about one in four adults has a fear of needles. Many of those people say the phobia started when they were kids. For some people, the fear of needles is strong enough that they avoid getting important treatments, vaccines or tests. That poses a serious problem for public health. Researchers have helped develop a five step plan to help prevent what they call "needless pain" for kids getting injections or their blood drawn. Guest host Tom Dreisbach talks with Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, who works with a team to implement the plan at his own hospital. Friedrichsdorf told us some of the most important research on eliminating pain has come from researchers in Canada. Learn more about their work here.

Want to stop needle phobia in adults? Make shots less painful for kids

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Afraid of Needles? You're Not Alone

A nurse holds a vial of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. Patrick Meinhardt/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Patrick Meinhardt/AFP via Getty Images

Short Wave

Afraid of Needles? You're Not Alone

Many people are afraid of needles in some capacity — about 1 in 10 experience a "high level" of needle fear, says clinical psychologist Meghan McMurtry. But that fear is often underrecognized or misunderstood. That's why today's show is all about needle fear: what it is, tools to cope, and why it's important to address beyond the pandemic.

Afraid of Needles? You're Not Alone

Listen · 13:59
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