Kanpur: Health department, on the eve of the World AIDS Day slated for December 1, cautioned youths to avoid getting tattoos on their bodies as its fascination may prove perilous as it could transmit HIV.
The department cited two incidents where a girl and a boy became HIV positive after getting tattoos on their body parts. Dr Maniram Gautam, a senior doctor at the Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) Centre located at GSVM medical college, said these people had no connection with the common causes of HIV infection as neither had they engaged in unprotected intercourse nor received contaminated blood transfusions. During counselling at the centre, it emerged that they contracted the infection after getting tattoos, he added.
District HIV/AIDS nodal officer Dr RP Mishra explains that the crux of the issue lies in using contaminated needles for tattooing. He said tattoo needles are quite expensive, and protocols dictate their disposal after single use. However, people getting tattoos remain oblivious to this hazard and they seldom verify whether the artist has installed a fresh needle in the machine. Consequently, if an HIV-infected person receives a tattoo with that needle, it creates a substantial risk of transmission to subsequent clients, Dr Mishra further said.
He advises extreme caution before getting tattooed. Opting for economical tattoos at fairs or from street vendors could have severe repercussions. He urges everyone to verify the installation of new needles in the machine beforehand.
Strongly advising against getting tattooed with used needles he recommends that recently tattooed individuals undergo HIV testing to enable immediate treatment if infected through any negligence. He warns that postponing treatment could be lethal.