TATTOO AND RISK OF HIV

The popularity of tattooing and piercing, especially among young people,

and the risk involved with these activities makes it worthy of attention. Risk

reduction messages to youth should consistently address these behaviors.

Transmission of diseases from tattooing may be related to the use of needles that were contaminated with blood from a previously tattooed individual, or the use of

contaminated dyes and other material, such as sponges or tissues used to wipe

away blood. In addition, HIV has been shown to remain infectious in aqueous

solutions at room temperature for up to fifteen days (1) and pigmented solutions,

because they are relatively inert, may also support the virus.(2) As a result, the

tattooing gun itself (not just the needles) is also a potential source of

contamination for blood borne infectious diseases.(3)

The risk of transmission of blood borne infections during tattooing is attenuated

given the process used. A single needlestick injury from an infected host carries

with it a 5-30% risk of transmission of hepatitis B (HBV), a 3-7% risk of

transmission of hepatitis C (HCV), and a 0.2-0.4% risk of transmission of HIV.

(4,5) Given the rapidly repetitive process of tattooing, transmission of blood

borne infectious diseases (including HIV) through unsafe tattooing practices is

more likely to occur.(2)

 

If your mind is still set on a new tattoo, be sure to take these precautions.

1.    Find a tattoo artist who has single-use, “throw-away” kits that are individually packaged, dated, and sealed and hold disposable needles and tubes. Watch your tattoo artist remove the new needle and tube from its sealed envelope immediately before your session.

2.    Make sure that the tattoo parlor is fully licensed and that your tattooist has a great deal of experience.

3.    Make sure the artist wears sterile disposable gloves for each client and use sterile disposable towels, much as you’d expect from your dentist.

4.    Watch a procedure first to make sure that unsterile surfaces and equipment are not touched by the tattoo artist once the procedure has begun.

5.    Look for telltale signs of sloppy tattoo practices, such as blood splatter, dirty work surfaces, the absence of red “sharps disposal containers,” and a lack of infection-control practices.

6.    Ask where the ink was manufactured and procured. “It’s best if the ink comes from a large manufacturer that has been in business a long time, and even better if the artists have tried the ink on themselves.

7.    Ask if the inks used are made of nonmetallic organic pigments.

8.    Consult a doctor if you see any sign of rash or infection (redness, swelling, or drainage of pus).

 

 Ref:

1) Resnick L, Veren K, Salahuddin SZ, Tondreau S, Markham PD. Stability and inactivation of HTLV-III/LAV under clinical and laboratory environments. JAMA 1986;255 (14):1887-91.

2) Messahel A, Musgrove B. Infective complications of tattooing and skin piercing. Journal of Infection and Public Health 2009;2(1):7-13.

3) Nishioka SA, Gyorkos TW. Tattoos as risk factors for transfusiontransmitted

diseases. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2001;5(1):27-34.

4) Beltrami E, Williams I, Shapiro C, Chamberland M. Risk and management of bloodborne infections in health care workers. Clinical Microbiology Reviews 2000;13(3):385407.

5) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Alert. Preventing needlestick injuries in health care settings. Ohio, USA: United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; 1999.