Got a tattoo in 2003, and the place I went to I was concerned about sterilization. I have two others that I got from two different shops in NH and they took the needles out of a sterile wrapper. This tattoo artist took the needle out of an open environment and I believe touched it with his hands (don't remember gloves). I asked the older man (maybe he was in his 60's) whether it was sterile he said yes, but I wasnt sure. The tattoo quality is horrible and took a month to heal. However, now I am concerned I contracted HIV. I am a virgin, completely, and since the other two tattoo parlors took the needles out of their sterile wrappers, I am sure if I got tested positive for it then this tattoo parlor would be to blame. Who can I ask in that town, the police or town hall, to see if they had other concerns or complaints? And if I contracted HIV, can I file a police report? Of course, I would admit to being a virgin. Got this tattoo in Maine.
Serious question, so serious answers
2007-11-26 02:46:33 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
Hepatitis B & C are the biggest risks here, and they are far more common than HIV (though HIV is a valid concenr as well).
You can get tested for HIV and Hep B&C. Simply visit your doctor or public health clinic.
A lot of people are highly uninformed of the risks involved in getting a tattoo. Most places know proper tattoo procedures, like using gloves, disposable sterile needles and medical-grade inks and pigments. However many dodgier tattoo/piercing parlors still exist and rely on customers' ignorance to survive.
To file a complaint about the tattoo parlor, you have to call the county environmental health department where the parlor is located.
It is your right as a consumer to view the environmental inspection report for any body-mod establishment. In participating regions, you can/should also request to see the tattoo artist/piercer's blood-borne disease education certification. This certification shows that your artist/piercer has completed a course on bloodborne disease prevention, safety and hygiene.
But first thing's first: please see your doctor for a checkup and get tested for hepatitis and HIV. If you haven't done so and you are still negative for Hep B, please get vaccinated (there are no vaccines for HIV or Hep C yet).
2007-11-26 04:28:38 · answer #1 · answered by Gumdrop Girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why are you concerned you contracted HIV? Have you gotten tested? Don't stress out until you've been tested.
Even if your tattoo artist was HIV positive and not wearing gloves, he would have had to have had his own blood or sexual fluids present on his hands when he gave you the tattoo for you to have contracted HIV. If the needle was not sterilized, there is a possibility a blood-borne disease was spread to you. Other diseases are more easily spread such as Hepatitis, so if you're truly concerned, explain what happened to a doctor and get tested for Hepatitis and HIV.
2007-11-26 03:00:42 · answer #2 · answered by superturtle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the place smells and looks clean or sanitary. That's always the first indicator. If you can smell disinfectant or it smells like a hospital, that's a good thing - it means they're hygienic. Next make sure he changes his glove after touching things if he does touch things. Once he's washed his hands and worn his gloves he/she should only be touching you and the machine. For the actual process, he should be using new ''fresh from the packet'' needles and the needle shouldn't come in contact with anything. Hope that helps.
2016-05-26 00:15:40 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first off, you are to blame.if you, felt the needles, were not sterile,you should have left, at that point.you ,and you alone ,are responsible ,for your body.if you do, test positive ,for HIV,still you would be hard pressed, to prove. that is where you contracted it from.you may have had a cut or open sore on your body,touched someone else's open area.you may deep kiss with someone and caught it.oral sex can cause it. just because, you did not have intercourse ,does not mean ,you are a virgin.i am not saying ,you have done the things ,i mentioned,people think ,because they do not have intercourse, they are virgins.you need ,to sit and think of ALL things ,you have done, leading up to the tattoo ,and after the tattoo.if you can HONESTLY, say you have done nothing ,or maybe helped someone,was bleeding,you may have caught it there .get tested, then think things over ,if that's what you wish . good luck
2007-11-26 03:11:28 · answer #4 · answered by hotdogsarefree 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋