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Can I get
HIV from getting a tattoo or through body piercing?
A risk of HIV transmission
does exist if instruments contaminated with blood are either
not sterilized or disinfected or are used inappropriately between
clients. CDC recommends that instruments that are intended to
penetrate the skin be used once, then disposed of or thoroughly
cleaned and sterilized.
Personal service workers
who do tattooing or body piercing should be educated about how
HIV is transmitted and take precautions to prevent transmission
of HIV and other blood-borne infections in their settings. If
you are considering getting a tattoo or having your body pierced,
ask staff at the establishment what procedures they use to prevent
the spread of HIV and other blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis
B virus. You also may call the local health department to find
out what sterilization procedures are in place in the local area
for these types of establishments. |
