A US medical technician who stole painkillers and infected dozens of patients in multiple US states with hepatitis C through tainted syringes has been sentenced to 39 years in prison.

“I don’t blame the families for hating me,” David KWIATKOWSKI said on Monday after hearing about 20 statements from people he infected and their relatives.  “I hate myself.”

KWIATKOWSKI, 34 was a cardiac technologist in 18 hospitals in 7 states before being hired at New Hampshire’s Exeter Hospital in 2011.  He had moved from job to job despite being fired at least four times over allegations of drug use and theft.  Since his arrest last year, 46 people have been diagnosed with the same strain of hepatitis C he carries.

US Attorney John Kacavas said the sentence “ensures that this serial infector no longer is in a position to do harm to innocent and vulnerable people”.

KWIATKOWSKI admitted stealing painkillers and replacing them with saline-filled syringes tainted with his blood.  He pleaded guilty in August to 16 federal drug charges.

Before he was sentenced, KWIATKOWSKI stood and faced his victims, saying he was very sorry and that his crimes were caused by an addiction to painkillers and alcohol.  He told investigators he had been stealing drugs since at least 2003 and swapping syringes since at least 2008.

“There’s no excuse for what I’ve done,” he said.  “I know the pain and suffering I have caused.”

The victims spoke angrily and tearfully of the pain that KWIATKOWSKI had inflicted by giving them hepatitis C, a blood-borne virus that can cause liver disease and chronic health problems.  Authorities say the disease played a role in one woman’s death.

AAP