PLEASE help me!

[NervousChick90]

I'm getting tested today (9.5 months) after getting a tattoo. I was tested at 6.5 weeks after the tattoo for sexual reasons. I'm afraid for some odd reason that the place wasn't sterilized. It was at a licsenced shop in Clark County, Nevada which has stringent laws but I'm still losing sleep. I can't think of anything else and I'm driving my poor boyfriend crazy with worry. Do I need the HIV test?

[joggen]

HIV can't "live in ink". No more questions permitted. Any further anxiety-driven posts will be deleted without comment.

[NervousChick90]

I meant re-used ink .. Like if someone before me was tattooed and hiv pos then the ink was poured back in the container. That's what I meant.

[joggen]

You are not thinking rationally. Why would tattoo ink have HIV in it?? The question is preposterous. For the last time, receiving a tattoo is not a risk for HIV.

I cannot help people who have an irrational obsession with HIV. You are not accepting the advice that you have been receiving on the HIV forums, which suggests a possible emotional issue. You need to speak with a mental health professional about these thoughts. Please, no more questions about no risk situations.

[NervousChick90]

Okay one more: what about the ink contamination? Can it live in ink?

[joggen]

Of course these are all no risk. HIV is transmitted through unprotected vaginal or anal sex, sharing IV drug works, and mother to child.  It is a rare disease in N. America and is very difficult to transmit.

[NervousChick90]

What about if the ink was contaminated or the cream? I'm sorry I'm so obsessive, I'm trying to cover every base.

Also: wisdom teeth removal? (the dentist story scared me) and what about stepping on a piece of glass outside? All no risk, correct? Thanks for your help.

[joggen]

Nobody needs to test after getting a tattoo. Your test will confirm that you were not infected.

[NervousChick90]

I appreciate your input greatly. I'm just afraid I'm going to be THAT person. I called the tattoo shop and asked about sterilization. He said they use autoclave and when asked about single use needles he said, "of course!" So, I'm a little less freaked.

I'm awaiting my results and I'm super nervous.

[joggen]

As you were already told in the HIV Prevention Community, nobody has ever been infected from receiving a tattoo. In this day and age, tattoo needles are throughly sterilized. Further, even if it were somehow contaminated, such superficial blood exposure would not be sufficient to expose a person to HIV. In HIV transmission, "direct blood exposure" means injection of infectious fluids deep into the body, for example, as in the case of IV drug use.

Your 6.5 week test was sufficient to prove that you did not contract HIV from your no risk exposure, and your test today will also be negative. Please accept the results and put this behind you, and get on with your life.

[NervousChick90]

I'm worried because getting a tattoo is "direct blood exposure" so IF contaminated needles were used ...