Discover Why A Body Tattoo Or Piercing May Be The Worst Thing You Can Do In Kingston, New York


Body tattoos and piercings are cool, right? Let’s examine the facts before we join the tattoo crowd.

Did you know that body tattoos and piercings are the second leading cause of hepatitis C? That’s right, only intravenous drug use tops body tattoos and piercings as the number one cause of hepatitis C. So what, you say? What’s the big deal about hepatitis C?

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the several viruses that can cause hepatitis. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are the over viruses. HCV is diagnosed by determining the levels in the blood of antibodies to the virus.
In the U.S., there are more than 3 million people chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus. There are 8,000 to 10,000 deaths each year in the U.S. related to HCV infection.

What causes hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C virus is spread through the inadvertent exposure to infected blood. IV drug abuse is the most common mode of transmission of HCV. Persons who have shared toothbrushes, razors, and other personal items with a family member or friend are at risk of HCV infection.

If you get a body tattoo or piercing, you might get hepatitis C if the tools have someone else’s blood on them or if the artist or piercer does not follow sanitary practices. You should consider the risk of hepatitis C if you are considering getting a body tattoo or piercing.
Before 1992, it was common for persons to get hepatitis C through the transmission of infected blood in a blood transfusion. Since 1992, all blood products have been screened for HCV, and cases of HCV due to blood transfusion are now extremely rare. Screening tests for blood products have almost eliminated the risk of transmission of HCV infection through blood transfusions. HCV infection through transfused blood products is estimated to be less than 1 in 2 million by the Centers for Disease Control.

Why you should never get a body tattoo or piercing

Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus (“HCV”). Your body’s immune system usually cannot eliminate the hepatitis C virus and infection with HCV usually becomes chronic. 85% of persons who are infected with HCV will fail to eliminate the virus and will become chronically infected. Yes, this means you have the hepatitis C virus for the rest of your life.

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus damages the liver and can cause liver failure. 70% of persons chronically infected with HCV develop liver disease. HCV infection is the leading cause of liver transplantation in the United States and is a risk factor for liver cancer. Over time prolonged inflammation of the liver causes cirrhosis; extensive scarring in the liver is called cirrhosis.

Of 100 persons infected with HCV, 5 to 20 will develop cirrhosis and 70 will develop liver disease. 1 in 5 persons diagnosed with HCV will die from complications from liver disease, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

If you think body tattoos or piercings are cool, think again! You may be unknowingly infecting your body with a deadly virus.
What you can do if you want more information about Hepatitis C

If you want more information about Hepatitis C, consult a dedicated attorney right away.