My Job Nearly Killed Me—Twice. I Wish I Hadn’t Ignored These Signs
Joseph DeNicholas, a microelectronics design manager, suffered two severe health crises linked to job stress: first a West Nile virus infection that caused brain swelling, and later a dangerous staph infection that resisted treatment. His doctor and therapist concluded that chronic work-related stress had severely compromised his immune system. After being advised to either quit his job or face a month-long hospitalization, he took a company-offered sabbatical, during which his health rapidly improved.
- ▪Joseph DeNicholas experienced West Nile virus that led to brain swelling and required a six-day hospital stay.
- ▪He later developed a severe staph infection that spread to his daughter and nearly caused sepsis despite months of antibiotic treatment.
- ▪A therapist identified that job-related stress triggered physical symptoms, warning he could die of a heart attack before age 50 if he didn't make changes.
- ▪His doctor told him to quit his job or face a 30-day intravenous hospital treatment, prompting an immediate sabbatical.
- ▪During the sabbatical, his staph infection cleared within a week, highlighting the connection between his health and work stress.
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...By Joseph DeNicholasShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.The first time, it was West Nile virus. I noticed an unusually large mosquito bite after mountain biking one Sunday. Days later, I was sitting in an annual performance review for my job as a microelectronics design manager when my vision split into four overlapping images of the person across from me. Prior survival training from my time backpacking in the backwoods of the Rocky Mountains kicked in, so I left immediately and went straight to the emergency room. A spinal tap indicated that the virus had crossed the blood-brain barrier and my immune system had severely overreacted. My brain was swelling.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Newsweek.
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