Can HIV be transmitted from getting a tattoo?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have found out that it is possible, though less likely, to be infected by HIV through tattooing if done carefully and professionally with the equipment either sterilized or new. What I am anxious about is that my fiancé got a tattoo done yesterday, unprofessionally (it was done by a local tattoo artist in our village who gives tattoos at the artist’s own home). My fiancé had his parents' consent before he got this tattoo. But, young as we are, we are not yet aware of the risks of this unprofessional method of tattooing. This morning, my mother warned me about the risks of getting HIV through the tattoo.

I am concerned because I was an eyewitness to the process; the artist just drafted the design with a pen. I saw the artist pour the ink from the bottle into a cup that had obviously been used before. I just found out today that new needles should be used, and I am troubled because I did not see the artist change the needles before he gave my fiancé his tattoo. While tattooing, the artist is wiping the blood and extra ink off my fiance’s skin with wet cotton (he just used tap water in a basin). Lastly, when the tattoo was done, he wiped Petroleum jelly over the area. Now, I am very anxious because months ago I found out that HIV and AIDS are very common in our area.

These are my questions. Is it possible that my fiancé might have acquired HIV through the tattoo process because of the unsterilized and reused equipment? How high is the risk of him being infected? Should I advise him to get an HIV test? And if yes, what specific type of test, and when should he get the test? What other health issues are more likely to be acquired by my fiancé after the tattoo session?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. Firstly, stop worrying. There is a solution to your problem. It is true that unsterile needles used for tattooing can lead to the spread of certain blood-borne infections. HIV is quite unstable outside the human body, so it is less likely for the virus to have been active on the needles, but we cannot rule out the chance of him acquiring the infection. The HIV virus does not usually show up on blood tests for a while. The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about the exposure, and your fiancé can take post-exposure prophylaxis. Some medicines will be given that will help to prevent infection in people who might have been exposed to the virus. There may be a risk of other blood-borne infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, or Staphylococcus aureus. These can be prevented by taking appropriate treatment. Please talk to your doctor.

I hope that helps.

Thank you.