Teak - HIV through getting a body piercing? rop

[DramaPrincess1986]

Hi Teak,

I had my navel pierced on Saturday night - the piercer told me that she uses new needles and jewelry.  She could have been lying though....who knows?!

Yesterday (a bit less than 72 hrs later), I noticed that I have three swollen glands - one under my chin, one between my breasts, and one under my armpit (all on the same side).  Today I kind of feel like I need to cough, and I tried, but nothing came up, so maybe it's a dry cough.

1. Has HIV ever been transmitted through a body piercing?
2. Is it possible for ARS symptoms to show up so fast?
3. Can ARS present without a fever?
4. Was this a possible HIV exposore?  Should I get tested?

[JeanClaude]

How many piercings have been performed since 1981?

[JeanClaude]

"One case of a possible transmission of HIV from body piercing has been reported without any other known exposure to the virus."   The best thay can say is
" Maybe it happened once, maybe!)
- HIV from piercings does NOT happen and never has appened. This is only one study, no other study has ever found a single case of infection with HIV this way. Other diseases and viruses, just possibly.

-Regards-

[Teak]

I'll continue with what the CDC has stated since they keep track of all exposures. There has never been anyone contract HIV from piercings or tattoos. As you are aware it says "possible." Had it been a possible way of infection their would be hundreds of thousands infected by piercings and tattoos.

[DramaPrincess1986]

This website says that there was possibly a case of HIV transmission from body piercing:
http://www.med.ucla.edu/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=158

What do you think about this?

[JeanClaude]

"Theoretical Risk means, in the nearly 30 years of the HIV epidemic, it has NEVER been known to happen. I remind you that HIV isn't exactly the least research subject in the world. Ultimately , what does this mean for you? Don't worry about contracting HIV from this piercing.
-Regards-

[DramaPrincess1986]

What does 'theoretical' mean?  Isn't there a 'theoretical' risk from kissing and mutual masturbation too?

Would the CDC know if there had been any cases transmitted through body piercing?

What makes me feel a little bit better is that no one was being pierced when I walked in - the piercer was just sitting at the counter, and then I had to fill out the forms, so I know that it was more than a few minutes since someone had been pierced, even in the unlikely circumstance that they were using the same needles without cleaning them.

I still have two of the three swollen glands though. :(

[Teak]

I posted the above info from the CDC. As for HIV being a serious illness I don't belive I have to be advised. I've lived with it over 24 years and I also teach about HIV in 3 colleges.

[nice_gathering]

In a serious illness such as HIV any risk needs consideration. That is why CDC web site link has explained it.

Regards.

[Teak]

Theoretical is not the same as documented.

[nice_gathering]

BUT it does NOT exclude the risk of HIV/Hepatitis and other blood borne infections infection in the unlikely event if not sterilised/not new equipment is used. That is why CDC has not ruled out the risk as the link page reveals.

Regards.

[Teak]

CDC knows of no instances of HIV transmission through tattooing or body piercing,

[nice_gathering]

Hello

Most places who do tattoos/piercing would very likely use new/sterilised equipment.

There will be risk of acquiring HIV and Hepatitis etc. if sterlised/new equipment is not used and was exposed to the infection.

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/qa27.htm

Thanks.

[Teak]

NO. HIV has never been transmitted via piercing or tattoos.

[DramaPrincess1986]

I'm freaking out again because I was looking at reviews for this place online.  It had 13 great reviews but 5 bad ones, and one of the people said that the place has had a lot of staph infections recently due to 'not sterilizing their equipment properly.'

The place's website says that they always use new needles though, and that they autoclave them just to make sure.  They also mention that staph infections are possible, but that you can pick  them up anywhere.

Based on this new info, would you say I'm at risk for HIV?

Thanks so much, and Happy Holidays!

[Teak]

1. NO
2. NO
3. NO
4. NO and NO.