Tattoed Irish Should Be Tested for Hepatitis C

Irish Medical Times by Gary Culliton

Irish people should consider being tested for hepatitis C if they have ever had a tattoo or body piercing using an unsterilised needle, or are uncertain about the sterility of a tattoo or piercing they received, said Ms Olivia Carr of the Blood Borne Virus Forum.

In 2005, Ireland had the highest rate of reported cases of hepatitis C of all European member states who provided data. The 2007 Irish figures showed a 29 per cent increase in the number of hepatitis C notifications.

People should also be tested if they have ever injected illicit drugs, or received medical treatment in a country with high hepatitis rates, Ms Carr said.

Some 20,000 Irish people may be infected with hepatitis C, but only a fraction know they are infected, she added.