I didn't have a chance to respond to your post on the other thread, but the comment about your one doctor personally knowing a thousand hcv patients speaks volumes about what's out there.
Regarding tattoos in particular, I've read that this is a big mode of transmission in the U.K. I have no idea why - they don't seem to have more ink than the U.S. Maybe it's the way they do it...

Slide I think it's all the people doing tat's out if their garage that spread the C around. They don't change needles or just don't friggen know about the C. Peace

The garage, and in prisons too...that might be ground zero in the U.S., given the number of people we have incarcerated...and a lot of those guys probably aren't getting checked, and aren't gonna get checked.

yup-- I had a friend who had a tattoo party. I feel pretty sure the needles was changed out but what about the ink?.

I will get another one, but I will go a parlor and get it done by one guy that I know.

Renee..............I think you are right on about the ink:(:( I don't have any tattoos (too chicken)...........but while folks might think about needles...........bet a lot of em don't think about ink............professions prolly do....but not the prisons and garage types.

I know when I was a kid we all got our ears pierced in the park one day.........ONE sewing needle, ONE Potato.....some (Avon) Cotillion perfume (for alcohol)....and some cheap drugstore earrings.............LOL

PS...we watch that show too........Best Ink..............some great work there......for those interested in that:)

Some of the most beautiful artwork I have ever seen were TATS.
Amazing what these artists do......but I never got one. Even in the Navy, while all of my buddies got one I did not. I've just never liked needles and having some guy or gal poke me continuously with ink
Filled needles did not sound like fun. Lol