Tattoos and HIV?

[0608]

I had a debate with someone earlier, and I wanted to get people's opinions on it.  We were discussing getting a tattoo, and the guy said that it was risky for "things like HIV."  I disagreed with him, but he said that tattoo artists sometimes "slip up" and forget to change the needle or use the same supplies (needle/ink) for more than one person to save money.  And in that case, he said that the risks were comparable to people sharing needles.

So what is the deal with tattoos and HIV?  Have there been any documented cases?  And if some messed-up tattoo artist were to work on an HIV-positive person and then use the same needle on the next person, is the chance of transmission as high as sharing a syringe with a positive person?

As always, feedback would be appreciated.  Btw, I'm positive and tattoo-less (though I've always kinda secretly wanted one, LOL).

[Solo_LTSurvivor]

I had a debate with someone earlier, and I wanted to get people's opinions on it.  We were discussing getting a tattoo, and the guy said that it was risky for "things like HIV."  I disagreed with him, but he said that tattoo artists sometimes "slip up" and forget to change the needle or use the same supplies (needle/ink) for more than one person to save money.  And in that case, he said that the risks were comparable to people sharing needles.

So what is the deal with tattoos and HIV?  Have there been any documented cases?  And if some messed-up tattoo artist were to work on an HIV-positive person and then use the same needle on the next person, is the chance of transmission as high as sharing a syringe with a positive person?

As always, feedback would be appreciated.  Btw, I'm positive and tattoo-less (though I've always kinda secretly wanted one, LOL).

Hi 0608, here's a little tip:  you can do a search to see if certain topics have already been created in a thread by typing into the search field on the left side of the site under the "Stats" panel beneath the users online.  You'll see a place you can enter terms to search for.

This way you can see if something has already been discussed recently 

[0608]

Thank you for the tip, Survivor!   I actually read through that thread with great interest, but it didn't really cover the risk factor of tattoos and transmission in detail, so I wanted to bring that point up specifically.

But regardless, I hadn't noticed the Search Box before, so I really appreciate it, and I'll be using it with gusto, LOL!

[ad2san]

Hi there, there is a risk like there is a risk by a surgery or at the dentist if the operator does not clean his tools.
I have many tattoos myself and believe me every time I had one done the needles and the rest were opened in from of my eyes out of there sterile packing. This is standard procedure since many years.
You are at absolutely no risk by a professional tattooist.

Cheers

[Pozitively Moving Forward]

'With Gusto...LOL'
love it!!!

[Peaceful_Rhino]

I'm sure there are fly by night places that may do exactly what you described and the risk would exist but if standard protocols and procedures used in the industry are followed by any reputable artist/shop, there is no risk of transmission (same as with a dentist).

I'm envisioning someone getting a tattoo from the back of a van like the roommate's sister in Bridesmaids

[raymond828]

thats not youre problem.
if you go to proffesional than there is no problem.