Question:

when I get a little bit older I really want a tatoo, but my only fear is that I will contract aids from it. What are the chances?

16 Comments so far

1. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 3:49 pm

   Make sure you watch the tattoo artist assemble the equipment. The needle and other supplies must be sterile. Make sure the needle is taken out of an unopened sterile package, and if it’s not, leave! Make sure you ask around to make sure you’re going to someone reputable. I would say your chances are very low.

2. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 4:16 pm

   Well, contracting AIDs from a tattoo is impossible. AIDs is the progression of HIV infection.
   You could become HIV+ if you went someplace that didn’t sterlize their equipment, such as someone who does it out of their home, etc. If you go to a legal, licensed shop, there should be absolutely no problem, as the equipment used is all sterilized. Ask the artist to open needles in tront of you, so there is no question as to the fact that they are sterile.

3. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 5:11 pm

   To date there has been no documented cases of HIV from tattooing.
   The HIV virus is very fragile so really the possibility of contracting it is still there but very remote. I would be far more concerned over Hepatitis B and C. The HBV can survive on a counter top for a week!
   This is why those tattoo home party plans are disgustingly risky. Go to a licensed reputable studio and you should be ok. Remember, if it looks dirty, it is.

4. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 5:21 pm

   you should make sure the place where you get it is clean and looks reliable. Also there should be a sign on the wall that grants them to be able to own a tattoo shop if there is no sign you might get AIDS
   also make sure they take the needle out of a package that was tightly sealed before they start giving you the tattoo

5. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 6:06 pm

   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.

6. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 6:14 pm

   make sure the shop has one use only needles and ink. also make sure they are up to date on the health department and regulations. also see if they have a spores test and a conclaive too. also make sure they clean there equipment they use right before they fill up there ink. if they dont than i would refuse there sevice.

7. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 6:43 pm

   It depends all on how you protect yourself. If you go to a reputable shop to get a tattoo, that uses clean, new needles, you cannot get aids from it. but if you go somewhere that does not use a new needle (which is illeagle) you could contract the virus

8. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 6:50 pm

   As long as the artist is using a brand new virgin needle, the chances are almost NIL…most artisit will open the needle package right in front of you. If they don’t, then don’t use that artist…..aside from AIDs, Hepatitus is a big problem with dirty needles…..so don’t use one.

9. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 7:20 pm

   Well, that would only happen if you went somewhere unclean/unprofessional….
   Just make sure that you go to a licensed, professional place and check around to make sure that everything is sterilized – and that they use new needles on you.

10. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 8:03 pm

    Basically, if you go to a reputable tattooist that you know you can trust, and they use new needles for each client, your pretty safe.
    The risk is very very slim.

11. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 8:20 pm

    if you go to a shop that uses a autoclave. one time use needles in blister packs, the artist uses gloves and gauses around his wrist, chances are 0% to get aids from a tattooing

12. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 9:01 pm

    spell tattoo correctly.
    and if you go to a valid tattoo shop there is no chance of getting aids. you have to check if they use a new equipment. if not, run away!

13. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 9:58 pm

    the chance of getting aids from an infected needle is 1 to 150 so don’t save money when getting a tattoo and go to the best, cleanest place money can afford.

14. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 10:02 pm

    yes by can get aids. Only if the shop doesnt clean the needles or reuses them. If u don’t see them cleaning the needles while ur there then just say u got scared and leave. Everything Eos should be fine

15. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 11:02 pm

    unless you’re in a philippines prison having it done with a sewing needle – the odds are about zero….

16. Maybe This Will Help - July 10, 2009 11:24 pm

    WHEN YOU ARE GETTING THE TATTOO YOU HAVE TO WATCH THEM WITH EVERYTHING THEY DO BECAUSE SOME OF THEM WOULD RUN OUT OF NEEDLES AND USE BACK THE NEEDLE THEY USE ON SOMEONE BEFORE AND THAT PERSON WOULD PROBABLY HAVE SOME DISEASE AND THEY WOULD USE THE NEEDLE ON YOU AND YOU CAN GET THAT DISEASE