Tattoo Do I Need To Get Tested For HIV

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Ask the Experts

tattoo & HIV/HCV

I had a tattoo 11 months ago. Found out later lady who did it was an IV drug user. 3 weeks after procedure, had swollen lymph node in groin & rash in pubic area. 8 weeks after tattoo, had a horrible case of tonsilitis. Saw a surgeon who...

Response from Barbara McGovern, M.D.

Tufts University School of Medicine

Your illness sounds significant and does not have to be related to your tatoo. If a clean needle was used, as is done in most tatoo parlors, you probably did not acquire your infection there. We worry more about tatoos when they are done among... Read more »

Tattoos

My husband of 10 years was recently found to be HIV+ (6 months ago). Since then he has been... Read more »

Response from Ryan M. Kull, C.S.W »

Tattoo anxiety

I got a tattoo in the beginning of December and have been worried about transmission of HIV ever... Read more »

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D. »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Articles

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Canada: HIV, Hepatitis Tests Urged After Unlicensed Tattoo Parlors Closed in Calgary

After receiving tips from the public, Calgary health officials shut down seven unlicensed tattoo and piercing parlors during recent investigations. Officials said customers of the establishments listed below should seek testing for hepatitis C and... Read more »

Iowa: Tattoo Parlor's Customers Urged to Get Blood Tests

Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health is urging persons who received a tattoo or body piercing at an unlicensed Clear Lake tattoo parlor to be tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C. The business, which operated out of a residence at 715 N.... Read more »

Canada: 3,000 Warned of HIV Risk at Tattoo Shop

Customers who received tattoos or body piercings at Moonshin Tattoo, located on Dundas Street West in Mississauga, between March 2005 and February 2009 have been advised to seek testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Peel Public Health... Read more »

Canada: 2,000 Told of Disease Risk From Tattoos, Piercings

The Durham Region Health Department said Thursday it closed an Oshawa tattoo and body piercing shop, Longhorn Custom Bodyart, due to the risks to patrons of viral hepatitis and HIV transmission. Health inspectors discovered the sterilizer was... Read more »

Connect With Others

HIV In Prisons-MYTHS-Tattooing

Posted by Bear60, 2 Replies

Read the part about Tattoos.

Busted! Georgia Prison Study Shakes Down Some HIV Myths

by Laura Whitehorn

April 26, 2006A new study tracking HIV through the Georgia prison system is busting some myths about life behind bars and raising questions about... Read more »

Tattoo's and HIV

Posted by Anonymous, 4 Replies

Hi everyone,
I am + but my viral load is below 200. I am wanting to go for my first tattoo (at 32!) but I worry about exposure and disclosure, has anyone out there been refused because of their stat, or is it a don't ask don't tell policy (since I... Read more »

Tattoo and me

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Hello, I'm 16 going on 17 and I want to get a tattoo for my birthday. I am HIV positive. I'm wondering if there can be any complication towards me if I get a tattoo. I am of course aware that I need to go to a safe sterile professional environment... Read more »

Tattoo

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

All gay diseased men should have a HIV tattoo
this will help stop spread HIV.

Read more »

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