bwaites
Flashlight Enthusiast
The truth is that even with all the precautions, Tat shops still are one of the highest risk locations for transmission of Hepatitis.
There are a few reasons for this:
Even though the vast majority of Tat Shop owners are very reputable and do their best to maintain a clean environment, the profit margin is small for most and they, like any businessman will try to cut any perceived waste. In talking with two patients who are Tat shop owners, their biggest concern is the guys who charge less, because they are always suspicious that they cut those corners.
Here's why the risk is higher:
Most disinfectant solutions don't kill Hep C. Unlike HIV, it is NOT killed by simple disinfection methods like bleach and commercial cleaners.
It can live on a dry surface for many weeks, unlike HIV or most others. It can actually live on the gloves, skin, ink bottles, or tattooing apparatus of the artist for a prolonged period before being transferred.
The virus itself is very virulent. It takes much less viral load to transfer than HIV. Several years ago I saw these stats:
1 in 400 people accidently poked with a needle which had been used to inject an HIV patient would develop HIV, while more than 1 in 4 who were poked with a needle used to inject a Hep C patient would develop Hep C!
The vast majority of Tat shops do good work in a safe environment, and because of Polak's background I would certainly expect him to be able to make that decision appropriately. Remember that not all states or localities have the same requirements, though!
P.S. No Tat shop in the world even approaches the sterility of an operating room!!
Bill
There are a few reasons for this:
Even though the vast majority of Tat Shop owners are very reputable and do their best to maintain a clean environment, the profit margin is small for most and they, like any businessman will try to cut any perceived waste. In talking with two patients who are Tat shop owners, their biggest concern is the guys who charge less, because they are always suspicious that they cut those corners.
Here's why the risk is higher:
Most disinfectant solutions don't kill Hep C. Unlike HIV, it is NOT killed by simple disinfection methods like bleach and commercial cleaners.
It can live on a dry surface for many weeks, unlike HIV or most others. It can actually live on the gloves, skin, ink bottles, or tattooing apparatus of the artist for a prolonged period before being transferred.
The virus itself is very virulent. It takes much less viral load to transfer than HIV. Several years ago I saw these stats:
1 in 400 people accidently poked with a needle which had been used to inject an HIV patient would develop HIV, while more than 1 in 4 who were poked with a needle used to inject a Hep C patient would develop Hep C!
The vast majority of Tat shops do good work in a safe environment, and because of Polak's background I would certainly expect him to be able to make that decision appropriately. Remember that not all states or localities have the same requirements, though!
P.S. No Tat shop in the world even approaches the sterility of an operating room!!
Bill
