At Risk?

[QuakerHunt]

Hello everyone,

I am a 20 year old professional firefighter. I know due to my job that I am "Considered" high risk for acquiring  Hepatitis C. All the information I have been reading on the subject seems to contradict one another. I recently had my first tattoo done at a pretty reputable place, and I would like to know the possible risk of contracting a disease such as Hepatitis C from being tattooed. I normally get blood work done every six months to a year that is mandatory for my job since we are high risk, How long should I wait after receiving my tattoo to get tested for any possible diseases. This is for myself as much as any patients that I would be dealing with. Thanks for the help!


This discussion is related to orange stools.

[nygirl7]

PS Why are firefighters considered a high risk profession for getting HCV?  I wouldn't think that there was that much blood exposure unless you were in the fire police - and even at that I remember dating one for quite a while and he never took any chances and that was back quite a while ago when people weren't too concerned with hep but with HIV at the time.

[nygirl7]

Not exactly it might not be on the needle but could be on the gear or the ink etc. itself is what we have all read........wheN i was diagnosed my doc refused to believe i had no tattoos and could not have aquired this way.

I wouldn't get one now knowing what I do for anything.

[SonniQ]

Hi there - Tattoo parlors are not allowed to reuse needles anymore.  As long as they used a new one you should be okay.

[Rockerforlife]

I will  NEVER get a tatto unless i buy my own gun,paint,hoses,,,all the required equipment or i wont get one at all...when it comes to my life,i trust no one...im wondering why you seem so concerned now after you got the art work done?..i am not trying to alarm you,but you have to read this

http://www.biblebelievers.com/watkins_tattoos/health.html

[Trinity4]

There actually is a time frame.  Hepc antibodies can show up as soon as 2 weeks after exposure but it can take up to 6 months for a positive antibody test to appear.
A positive antibody test does not mean you are infected.  False positives can occur and around 15 to 20 percent of the population clear the virus on their own.

Yes, there is a risk of contracting hepc through tattooing as there can be blood to blood contact.  However, if the parlor is as reputable as you say, the likelihood of contracting hepc is very low.

Since you have mandatory testing every 6 months you shouldn't be too worried but if getting a tattoo causes additional anxiety of exposure, I sure wouldn't want anymore tattoos although I must say I'm quite fond of body art myself.

Good Luck, I think you'll be fine.
Trinity

[Mollyrae]

Hi Quaker:

I don't believe there is a time frame. Evidently I contracted the disease sometime in 1980-81. I gave blood for my own surgery needed in 1990 and it was not detected at that time. Then again in 1997 gave blood again for more surgery and it was still not detected. Then in 2005 after feeling ill and undergoing many tests was I diagnosed with the Hep.

This is a great question for your Doctor or a Hepatologist. I'd give them a call. They most likely have info on your question.

Regards,
Mollyrae