FEATURE ARTICLE — January 1999
RELEARNING YOUR A-B-Cs
by Danielle Oberosler and Erika Stanley
In our last article, we announced that there isn't a single reported case of HIV transmitted through tattooing (according to the CDC). Our intention was to clear away some of the hype surrounding that issue before providing information about a virus that is a concern in the tattoo industry. The virus in question is hepatitis, and it is 100 times more contagious than HIV. The Liver Foundation has no data on cases of hepatitis transmitted through tattooing and the little information they did have was supposedly taken from an article written for Popular Science. When contacted, Popular Science was unable to produce the article with a snide little, "Why don't you try your local library? They often stock all major publications." Like, Duh!
The article states that, once infected, you live with hepatitis until your body develops antibodies to fight it off. In many cases, the body is unable to produce these antibodies successfully. Below is a breakdown of the more common types of hepatitis. There are seven types of hepatitis (A,B,C,D,E,F and G) currently identified, but scientists believe that this list of alphabets will grow as they learn more about viruses. Astonishingly, about one-third of all cases of hepatitis come from an unknown or unidentifiable source. This means that you don't have to be in a high risk group to be infected. Tattoo artists are at a high risk, because they work with blood, and should be informed about hepatitis in order to protect themselves and their customers. There is no cure for hepatitis, but there are preventative measures that can be taken for some types of the virus.
BREAKDOWN OF THE THREE MORE COMMON TYPES OF HEPATITIS
Hepatitis A (HAV) is more likely to spread through restaurants and daycare facilities than tattoo shops, because of how it is transmitted. Known as the fecal-oral mode of transmission, the virus can be spread through contaminated food, water and stool (Like, gag me!). This is why it is important to wash your hands after using the restroom. Traveling to countries where hepatitis A is prevalent also puts you at risk. Hepatitis A has flu-like symptoms and never goes chronic (infection lasting more than six months). In rare instances, severe liver failure caused by HAV can lead to coma and death. Most people recover completely by developing antibodies for lifelong immunity. There are 150,000 new cases of hepatitis A in the United States yearly and 1.4 million worldwide.
Hepatitis B (HBV) has been referred to as "serum hepatitis" because it can be spread by the transfer of infected blood or serum. It can also be transmitted by sexual contact, tattooing, body piercing, and sharing razors and toothbrushes. Hepatitis B is 100 times more contagious than HIV, according to the Coalition for Adult Immunization. 10% of the people infected with HBV are unable to fight it off with their own antibodies, so it progresses into chronic HBV (lasting more than six months). These people can be carriers with no symptoms at all. However, in more than half of all chronic cases, chronic liver infection and development of cirrhosis and liver cancer are a risk. With or without symptoms, they can spread hepatitis B to others. There are 280,000 HBV infections each year in the U.S.
Hepatitis C (HCV RNA) is an RNA virus. It multiplies by inserting its RNA into the host's liver cells and instructing the liver cells to produce more HCV. In other words, it programs your liver to produce its own demise. With a striking ability to avoid the body's immune system, it develops into chronic HCV in 85% of infected individuals. Hepatitis C can be transmitted through intravenous drug abuse. An estimated 50% to 80% of new drug users become infected within the first six to 12 months of drug use. HCV can also be transmitted through contact with contaminated blood and fluids (i.e., needle pricks, sexual activity, tattooing and body piercing). Only 30% of those infected with HCV develop symptoms initially. Most infected people are unaware and can go ten to 20 years without symptoms, infecting others along the way. Chronic HCV sufferers can develop cirrhosis and liver cancer. There are 30,000 new infections diagnosed each year in the U.S.
Immunization
Both Hepatitis A and B have immunoglobulin shots for quick short term protection, and vaccinations for long term protection. There is currently no vaccination for hepatitis C. Tattoo artists should definitely get immunized for hepatitis B. If cost is a concern, call your local health department. We found that our health department charges $58 for each hepatitis A shot, and $50 for each hepatitis B shot. That is considerably cheaper than the going rate at a private practice doctors' office. We found a great bargain at our state college health center. If you are a student, you may be able to get your shots for as low as $27 each. Or maybe, you can hit up the next nurse or doctor that you tattoo! It's worth a shot!
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|
Mode of Transmission |
Symptoms |
% Infected That become Chronic |
% of Chronic Cases that lead to Cirrhosis or Liver Cancer |
Vaccination |
|
Hepatitis A |
Fecal-Oral Poor handwashing Close contact |
Fever, Chills, Fatigue, Nausea, Jaundice, Dark Urine, Anorexia |
0 |
Very rare |
Yes, 2 shots that protect within 2 weeks- lasts 10-20 years |
|
Hepatitis B |
Blood/Serum contact Close family contact Sexual contact Sharing needles, razors, toothbrushes |
Fatigue, Muscle wasting, Weakness, Easy bruising, Fluid retention, Internal bleeding |
6-10% 1.2 Million in the U.S. 200-300 Million worldwide |
50-60% |
Yes, 3 shots over 7 months Length of protection undetermined.
|
|
Hepatitis C |
Blood/Serum contact Sharing needles Sexual contact Occupational exposure |
Fatigue, Muscle wasting, Weakness, Easy bruising, Fluid retention, Internal bleeding |
85% 4 Million in the U.S. |
42.5% |
No |