High Risk Behaviors - 2
Tattoos and Body Piercings
Even though a tattoo artist uses a sterile needle, the ink may contain and transfer the HCV virus. According to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 33% of subjects that had tattoos tested positive for HCV. According to that same report, contracting HCV while getting a tattoo is twice the risk of intravenous drug usage.
Transfusions, Transplants and Blood Products
Prior to 1990 when a test was discovered to screen blood donors for HCV, there was a high rate of infection in patients who received transfusions or transplants. Hemophiliacs have a 70 to 80% rate of HCV infection because of their need for transfusions. In the US, many children were contaminated with HCV by intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. In Ireland, HCV was spread to women during childbirth when they were given the blood product Factor D.
Needlestick Injuries
Because health care workers have a greater chance of being stuck by a contaminated needle, they have a slightly higher incident of HCV. The risk of HCV infection following an accidental needlestick is 20 to 40 times greater with HCV than with HIV.
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