tattoo/risk ??

[camandkay]

Ok, so ... this is probably going to be a stupid question, but one I need to have answer before I go out of my mind ... so, here is the scenario ... I recently got a tattoo on my ankle/foot.  When he measured the stencil to the foot, I had to stand barefoot on the floor (in the vicinity where people were walking that had just exiting the restroom).  After standing barefoot on the floor, the artist proceeded to tattoo the foot.  While tattooing, he held my foot (including the bottom of the foot) w/ a papertowel, to hold it steady.  From time -to- time he wiped the tattoo area w/ the papertowel that was holding the bottom of my foot and continued to tattoo the area that was wiped w/ the "dirty" papertowel that was holding the foot that had touched the floor where others walked that just exited the restroom ... I am afraid that some "restroom" germs had been permanently embedded into my leg while tattooing.  Is there a rist of HIV, or Hepatitis??  I am a nervous wreck now, especially since a few days later, I developed swollen glands in my throat, and had trouble swallowing, and now I fear that I have been infected w/ something or other.  Please tell me what the chances are of contracting something, and ... how long do I have to wait before being tested to be sure??  Thx so much for any info that you may provide.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The additional information does not chance my opinion or advice.  You do not need testing for HIV or hepatitis.  If you do it anyway, you can be tested at 6 weeks.

Being a "germ freak" may not be a trivial problem for you.  Compulsive cleanliness and fear of contamination often is a sign of a potentially serious mental health disorder. (Howard Hughes is a good example. Rent "The Aviator" if you haven't seen it.)  It sounds like you're approaching a serious problem and should consider counseling about it.  I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.

I won't have any further comments.  Best wishes.

[camandkay]

Okay, thank you.  If I did want to get tested, how long would I have to wait in order for it to show up?  I am not concerned about the needle itself, as it is a reputable establishment.  I was just concerned that potential "germs or infection" from the papertowel which was in contact w/ my foot would have been in direct contact w/ my blood, as there is usually some type of bleeding involved w/ tattooing.  I am a real germ freak and for some reason, instead of worrying about it before the fact, I worry (sometimes to the point of making myself sick) after the fact, when nothing can be done about it.  Again, it was just the use of the "dirty" papertowel being directly placed on the tattooed area, and then the continued use of the needle on that area that worries me.  Do you still think I do NOT need to test?  (but, again, should I choose to, how long should I wait, and what type of test would be most reliable) - I'm sorry to bother ya, I am a 36-y/o female raising 2 girls as a single parent and am so scared that I have done something stupid and will miss out on them growing up b/c of a bad decision :(

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The main infection risk in tattooing is related is whether or not the tattoo needles themselves re-used from one client to another, or not properly sterilized between uses.  I cannot imagine any risk from the sorts of details you describe.  Your sympoms do not suggest HIV or hepatitis. Sounds like you caught a cold.  Don't worry about it.  You dont need testing. But of course see your personal health care provider if your symptoms persist or you remain concerned.  But whatever is going on has nothing to do with the tattooing.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD