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Doctors in Chennai, India, are
seeing an increase in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in young people, many
of whom contracted the disease while being tattooed or pierced. The doctors are
concerned about the conditions in the many tattoo parlors rising up all over
the city. Dr. R. Surendran, gastroenterologist at Apollo Hospitals, explained
that hepatitis C is usually contracted by means of contact with the blood or
other body fluids of an infected person. Surendran stated that most of the
hospital’s HCV patients have a history of using unsterile needles. He added
that injecting drugs has gained recent widespread attention; however, people
rarely see tattooing and piercing as sources of infection. Surendran said that
not all patients with HCV have a history of using needles.
According to Dr. George M. Chandy,
gastroenterologist at MIOT hospitals, patients may not show any HCV symptoms
for a long time, but the earlier they are diagnosed and treated, the better.
After many years, the infection may result in the liver being permanently
scarred. Previously, young people went to Thailand, Malaysia, and Goa to get
tattooed, but now they can be accommodated in the city.
Staff at reputable tattoo parlors
may take the necessary precautions, but smaller places may have unhygienic
conditions. Naveen Kumar, founder of Irezumi, which has four studios in the
state, noted that tattoo parlors do not need a license. Anyone with needles and
artistic skills can be a tattoo artist. He stated that there are only eight
registered parlors in the city. At the established parlors, a tattoo can cost
between 2,000 and a couple of lakhs, while it can be done for 25 lakhs at less
reputable parlors.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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