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Tattoo concern
I posted this question in the Hep C forum a few weeks back and figured I'd post it here as well since Hep B can possibly be a concern.
I recently got a tattoo at a pretty reputable place. I was watching the artist put together the gun, etc., before he called me over to the workplace. I saw him open a brand new needle to put in the gun, but I also realized that he was handling the needle with his bare hands. Also, once he opened the needle, he was attempting to bend it, I guess to make sure it's hard enough to withstand the gun. He did all of this with this bare hands. I didn't see him wash his hands. Now I'm concerned about getting some sort of an infection especially Heptatitis. Is this a legitimate worry on my behalf or am I making too much of it. It's now been 2.5 weeks and I'm starting to feel some pain around my liver area...like a fullness feeling. I"m not sure if I'm making too much of this situation. Is it worth getting tested, or should I just forget about it?
I recently got a tattoo at a pretty reputable place. I was watching the artist put together the gun, etc., before he called me over to the workplace. I saw him open a brand new needle to put in the gun, but I also realized that he was handling the needle with his bare hands. Also, once he opened the needle, he was attempting to bend it, I guess to make sure it's hard enough to withstand the gun. He did all of this with this bare hands. I didn't see him wash his hands. Now I'm concerned about getting some sort of an infection especially Heptatitis. Is this a legitimate worry on my behalf or am I making too much of it. It's now been 2.5 weeks and I'm starting to feel some pain around my liver area...like a fullness feeling. I"m not sure if I'm making too much of this situation. Is it worth getting tested, or should I just forget about it?
Aside from mild liver area discomfort, most of us here don't have symptoms since we have chronic HepB.
As for getting hepatitis from tattoos. It's possible but unlikely. Really depends on the handling of the needle and blood.
As for getting hepatitis from tattoos. It's possible but unlikely. Really depends on the handling of the needle and blood.
Can someone give me a quick run down of what symptoms of Hep B they've experienced and in what time frame after exposure?
I guess I was curious to know whether people still get hepatitis from tattoos. I know it was a problem 10-20 years ago. Also I didn't see the artist touch the actual needle part that pierces my skin. I just saw him holding the needle bar with his bare hands. The needles are at the tip of the needle bar.
I think the risk is minimal but if you have liver discomfort, get it checked out to be safe. Ask for the Hep panels.
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