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| Vol. 23, No. 5 |
| March 15, 2001 |
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Tattoos Pose Risk for Hepatitis C By SANDRA WARNER St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital A leap in the popularity of tattoos is cause for concern, according to physicians at St. Luke's Texas Liver Institute. "Many people don't realize that body art can be a potential hazard to public health," said Dr. Josef Galati, medical director of the institute. "If done with unsterilized needles, tools or ink, people are put at risk for hepatitis C, a virus that often leads to chronic liver disease," Dr. Galati explained. Getting the word out about the risk factors for hepatitis C is particularly important, he added. "Hepatitis C is a relatively new opponent for us, and it's critical that everyone know its risk factors," Dr. Galati said. "It's particularly important to put a spotlight on the potential danger of tattooing because of its rise in popularity during the last several years." Hepatitis C was first identified in 1989. Health experts estimate that four to five million Americans are infected with the virus, but most don't realize they have the disease because symptoms are usually nonexistent in the early stages. In a July letter to the nation, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher called hepatitis C a "silent epidemic." "If a person decides that he or she wants to get a tattoo, it's important to shop around before undergoing the procedure," Dr. Galati said. "In order to avoid contracting hepatitis C, the consumer must make sure that the tattoo parlor uses a new batch of ink, and sterilized needles and tools on each customer. Most people wouldn't let just anyone cut their hair. So when it comes to piercing the skin, it's essential that the person who's doing it has your good health in mind," he advised. Experts estimate that 12,000 people die each year as a result of hepatitis C. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reports that this number will more than triple over the next decade. "The best way to avoid contracting hepatitis C is to completely avoid risky behaviors like getting a tattoo, but for those at risk, it's important to get screened," Dr. Galati said. "The sooner treatment begins, the more likely we are to win the battle against this difficult opponent."
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/03_15_01/page_09.html |