Tattoos & Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a dangerous virus that infects the livers of millions of people in the United States. Unsafe tattooing practices, including sharing needles, are responsible for the spread of Hepatitis C, a problem that is especially common in prison populations.

Sharing Needles

• Celebrity Pamela Anderson allegedly contracted Hepatitis C by sharing a tattoo needle with her former husband, Tommy Lee. According to David Salyer, in a June 2002 article for The Body, "re-using tattoo needles is like sharing IV drug syringes with strangers."

Licensed Facilities

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "there is little evidence that Hepatitis C is spread by getting tattoos in licensed, commercial facilities." A person is more likely to contract Hepatitis C getting a tattoo in an informal setting using non-sterile instruments.

Prison

• Tattooing is a common practice in prison, where the risks far outweigh those involved in commercial tattoo parlors. Many prisoners are oblivious to the risks. Some believe using their own equipment eliminates the risk factors.

Hepatitis C

• Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus, spread through contaminated blood, that attacks the liver. It is considered to be one of the most serious hepatitis viruses. Early symptoms are mild and flu-like. Most people, however, show no symptoms and only find out they have Hepatitis C when liver damage becomes apparent.