Tattoo and HCV Worries

[oralthrush]

Hello,
Thanks for helping me here!
I got a tattoo on my arm from a parlor but my worry is that artist may have used the same ink from previous customer. I saw him change the needle.
1. What are my risk for HCV?
2. I have oral thrush (Confirmed by Lab test), any relation?
3. What is the earliest i can test?
4. Can i test with HCV RNA at 6 weeks along with Antibody HCV?
5. Would HCV have any affect on HIV testing?
6. Have there been any case where someone got HCV or HIV from tattoo?

Thanks alot again!

[oralthrush]

Hello,
Thanks Alot again!
I did the "HCV RNA NAA Qualitative, Venipuncture" test and came back Negative after 5 weeks.
Can i consider this conclusive and never test again for this exposure?
Thanks once more!

[flyinlynn]

It is recommended to wait 6 months and then do an antibody test.

IF the antibody test is positive then you should have the HCV RNA test.

In you want to know sooner then take the more expensive RCV RNA test no sooner than 2 to 3 weeks after the incident.

I believe if you pay for the HCV RNA test it costs about $400 which is why normally the antibody test is performed as a screening test as it is much less expensive.

Knowing if you are positive for hep c is not an emergency. Hep c is a slowly acting virus that can take decades in most cases to cause significant liver injury if it ever does.

What you should do is have the test in 6 months and don't worry about hep c until then.

If as you said the US based tattoo parlor is well known and very popular they are very likely licensed and must conform to best practices to keep their license. Basically if that is the case you likely are worrying over nothing.

Good luck

[hrsepwrguy]

The difference is the way the test is ordered, what you received was a test that if you are positive for antibodies, then and only then will it run a RNA test for conclusive proof that it was more than just an exposure, if you want a RNA test you will have to go back and tell them exactly what you want and why, I have no idea why they didn't jut give what you want in the first place.

Have a great day.

[oralthrush]

so is it recommended to do HCV RNA test as first test to close the case at 5 weeks?

[oralthrush]

thanks alot for your reply.
It is a popular parlour in US. High reputation. But i think he was taking the ink directly from the small bottle. So i am bit concerned. I don't remember if he cleaned the machines or not, in guessing he did.
Would HCV RNA be conclusive at 5 weeks? to be confident that im free.
thanks again.

[flyinlynn]

As I said above
How soon after exposure to HCV can HCV RNA be detected by PCR?
HCV RNA appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection.

The material I am quoting is from the US CDC web site hepatitis C FAQ for health care professionals

Yes it would be conclusive.

If they are a good shop they should be following universal precautions but if you need testing for your peace of mind the choice is yours

[oralthrush]

Thanks Again! I did the test and i got the results back. But i dont understand exactly what they say. Can you please help me with this as well.

HEPATITIS C AB W/REFL TO HCV RNA, QN, PCR
HEPATITIS C ANTIBODY NON-REACTIVE N NON-REACTIVE CB
SIGNAL TO CUT-OFF 0.01 N <1.00 CB

I ordered the RNA Qualitative test, but got the result with AB w/rflx to RNA.

What is difference?
Thanks again!

[flyinlynn]

1. What are my risk for HCV?
Depends was this I the US or any other country with hygienic and license requirements for tattoo parlors? Was this a licensed licensed parlor do the have an autoclave to sterilize between customers? Did the take ink from a bottle or did they put the ink in a smaller container that was just for you? Do they post their hygiene ipractices they adhere to?

2. I have oral thrush (Confirmed by Lab test), any relation?
No

3. What is the earliest i can test?
How soon after exposure to HCV can anti-HCV be detected?
HCV infection can be detected by anti-HCV screening tests (enzyme immunoassay) 4–10 weeks after infection. Anti-HCV can be detected in >97% of persons by 6 months after exposure.

4. Can i test with HCV RNA at 6 weeks along with Antibody HCV?
How soon after exposure to HCV can HCV RNA be detected by PCR?
HCV RNA appears in blood and can be detected as early as 2–3 weeks after infection. There would be no reason to test both if you intend to take the HCV RNA that is the definitive test for hep c.

5. Would HCV have any affect on HIV testing?
Having HIV can cause a HCV antibody test to take longer to show positive that is why the 6 month wait for antibody testing. The reverse does not hold true HIV testing is not effected by being HCV positive.

6. Have there been any case where someone got HCV or HIV from tattoo?
For HCV yes it is listed as a method of infection for hep c. For HIV ask in the HIV community.

However, the best person to ask medical questions is always you medical health professional i.e. your personal physician.