A recent study finds that people with tattoos were almost three times more likely to have hepatitis C as those without tattoos. In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that, “Whenever tattoos or body piercings are performed in informal settings or with non-sterile instruments, transmission of hepatitis C and other infectious diseases is possible.” On the other hand, according to Wikipedia, it is rare for tattoos in an approved facility to be directly associated with Hepatitis C infection. To further help reduce the risks of contracting this infectious disease University of Cincinnati’s Marlene von Friederichs-Fitzwater suggests five questions that should be asked before getting a tattoo:

1. Does the tattoo artist use only new needles?
2. Does the tattoo artist use new ink caps for each client?
3. Does the artist sterilize all equipment that may come in to contact with blood? (Ask to see sterilization logs and their process which they

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