You know, I do read the commentary section (so please keep 'em coming) and one interesting thing that came out of the Rae Lewis Thornton interview was a lot of misinformation about tattoos and HIV.
To recount: It was Thornton's birthday and to celebrate she went on the South Side of Chicago to get a tattoo where she was promptly asked (via a consent form) about her HIV status. She told THE TRUTH and was told that she could not be serviced there.
Long story short, Lewis Thornton went to the North Side (read: not the hood) to get her tattoo and they had no problem giving one saying they used "standard procedures."
She filed a complaint with the city against the original place because she felt ignorance such as this was one of the things that prevents people from being tested. Who wants the stigma?
I mean, everybody and their momma is inked up these days. They're like an afro was back in the day. So what's the scoop? Are you at risk for HIV when getting a tattoo?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), no.
NOT ONE CASE OF HIV has ever been reported through tattooing since such tracking began in 1985. However, there have been at least 7 cases of HIV transmission associated with the dentist and dental workers. [Source]
By my own investigative reporting, I called a tattoo parlor in Harlem (read: the hood) and the Village (read: not the hood) to see if their practices differed any.
Question: Can I get a tattoo if I'm HIV positive?
From Andromeda Tattoo (East Village): "No problem. We'd just like to know that information beforehand and the artist themselves would like to know."
From Uptown Tattoos and Body Piercing (Harlem): "Yes, but it is at the discretion of the artist."
Both parlors said that they used "standard procedures."
According to Pirate Tattoo online, standard procedures include pre-sterilized needles and tubes, which are used only once and then discarded after use; all machines and equipment are protected from cross-contamination with barriers; frequent hand washing and generous use of gloves." [Source]
After further prodding, I found out that Uptown Tattoos also has a release form which asks HIV status. Which prompted me to call Andromeda back and ask if they too had a release form. They do have a consent form but it DOES NOT ask about HIV status. I guess hoods are alike in that way...
Is this fair? Do you think asking about HIV status contributes to the STIGMA around HIV and HIV testing? Why is this common in African American communities? Ignorance?
Comments: (38)
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By: Anthony Morgan on 4/03/2007 2:38PM
HIV and the Black Community. Wow! The misinformation about testing and the stigma. Our people are ignorant. Our resource to getting the facts are wide open and available yet we listen to stupid, nonsense from friends, associates and celebrities. My people get tested. Most of use do not have it and the few that do can live long healthy lives inspite of the shtz you hear from the media. I have to go, my wife just invited me to lunch. I'd love to hear what everyone has to say.
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By: Barbara Jean on 4/04/2007 9:33AM
Getting a tatoo is just like having sex. You have to be protected. Make sure the needle is new out of the case. Ask the tatoo artist if he or she is negative or positive. Ask questions and be sure cause if you are not than it will be too late if you happen to get infected. But no one that I heard of got HIV from tattos, I have heard of getting it from dentists and the like. I actually want a tatoo however don't know where to put it and scared of the stinging everyone says comes with the process. Stick to tatoos that stay on for 2=3 weeks or stick ons. THere're safer.
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By: Cecil Jones on 4/04/2007 4:10AM
Somebody in the Black Community found the courage to discuss HIV? Wow! I'm blown away. HIV is something that is being handled in the wrong way. It's none of your business if someone has HIV. People want others to get tested routinely. They want people to be reported by name if they test positive. What's the point? If you are afraid of contracting HIV, then don't have unprotected sex. Anyone who thinks that a corporation will not use this information against you is watching reruns of Good Times. If all things were equal, a Black would have one strike. If you've got HIV, then you won't have a job to get the health care that is necessary to save your life. Defend confidentiality with your life or it could cost someone you cared about too late. It's none of your business!
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By: Dovely 1 on 4/07/2007 11:24AM
While I feel it is important for tattoo parlors to ask about HIV status, people should be more concerned about Hepatitis C which is more transmittable through blood and affects a larger portion of the population (black, white etc). Using disposable needles and other equipment is mandatory because it's in direct contact with blood, however changing the ink is not because it is expensive. So the hepatitis C virus can survive in the ink leading to cross contamination and possible infection.
Also, in NY you might want to ask if that tattoo artist has heard of Article 27F which is the public health law on confidentiality. If they know your HIV status they are bound to keep that info to themselves otherwise they can be fined or imprisoned for releasing your HIV information.
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By: Akil Campbell on 4/07/2007 11:59AM
I started a new site and welcome discussions like this in the online discussion forum.. It was done as part of an assignment for a course in my MPH program so it's still in it's developmental stage and I am no webdesigner... :)
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By: Akil Campbell on 4/07/2007 12:02PM
I started a new site and welcome discussions like this in the online discussion forum.. It was done as part of an assignment for a course in my MPH program so it's still in it's developmental stage and I am no webdesigner... :)
http://www.mufha.org/
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By: tal on 4/07/2007 12:04PM
I'm inked up myself, and I'd like to say it depends on where you go. Me personally, if I had HIV, I'd tell my artist to protect them, just like I'd ask my artist if he was so I can protect myself. Dovely makes a good point about Hepatits C, but most places now have individual little ink pots, made out of plastic, that are only used once and then thrown away. Those are the places to go, to reduce the risk of any sort of transfusion of blood from person to person. I'm all for confidentiality, but If I get sick from my artist and that person didn't tell me they were positive, or vice versa, some lawsuits will be handed out. Privately owned tattoo parlors have the right to refuse service to anyone. I'd be upset, but not offended if I was denied a tattoo because I didn't tell them my HIV status, whether it be positive or negative, just like I wouldn't be offended if they excluded me because I TOLD them I was positive. If you want to keep that to yourself, go some place where they don't ask, and be tattooed at your and their own risk.
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By: Heather J. on 4/07/2007 12:12PM
I agree that someone's personal information, whether they are hiv positive or not is none of anyone's business. If you are going to get a tattoo, make sure you understand the risk and the consequences and make sure you try to protect yourself as much as possible! Also....ya'll can't spell worth a d*mn! lol I think hiv isn't the topic we should worry about, how about learning to spell!
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By: slicklicks on 4/07/2007 12:16PM
As always when transferring bodily fluids like blood, one should be very cautious. I think that there should be a law requiring all to be tested for HIV/AIDS and hepatitis once annually. Maybe that will slow the spread of these deadly deseases and make people of all creeds and colors more aware of the facts.
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By: ANGIE on 4/07/2007 2:27PM
IN THIS DAY AND TIME YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE IGNORANCE WOULD BE TO A MINIMUM OR GONE FOR GOOD. THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY RESOURCES VIA INTERNET, HEALTH CENTERS, BOOKS, ETC... FOR SOMEONE TO FIND OUT ABOUT ALL STDS AND HIV/AIDS. PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIV AND AIDS. I MEAN UNTIL WE EDUCATE OURSELVES WE CANNOT EXPECT OTHERS TO KNOW. MOST OF OUR PEOPLE ARE IGNORANT TO BEING TESTED AND PRACTICING SAFE SEX. I ALSO AGREE WITH SLICKLICKS THAT IT SHOULD BE REQUIRED BY LAW FOR EVERYONE WHO IS SEXUALLY ACTIVE TO BE TESTED FOR HIV/AIDS AND HEPATITIS. WHEN WILL WE STOP THIS RECCURRING EPIDEMIC?
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