After a routine school body check, a local mother was informed that her 12-year-old daughter had abnormal liver function and was diagnosed with hepatitis C after being hospitalised; her 9-year-old sister had normal liver function, although she unfortunately tested positive for the Hepatitis C antibody.
Doctor Liu Hongli, of the liver disease department at Nanjing Second hospital, asked the mother for a medical history, whereupon the mother recalled that about 2 years ago both daughters had had their ears pierced. The doctor deduced this must be the cause.
“Hepatitis C is the immune reaction that is caused by a HCV infection, and the virus infected cells can cause liver disease, which easily develops into chronic hepatitis”, said Yang Yongfeng, leader of the Hepatology and Science department at Second Hospital.
Hepatitis C and B viruses can be transmitted three ways; blood, sex or mother to infant. Regarding the Hepatitis C virus, it is mainly transmitted through blood and damaged skin and mucosa. Ear and tongue piercings, tattoos, shared razors or toothbrushes may also be cause for cross infection.
Although journal results appear inconsistent, it does appear that tattooing and piercing both pose a high risk for Hepatitis C infections worldwide. While tattoos and piercings are not new to Chinese society, the modern popularity of them is, and it seems the risk of unhygienic and unregulated piercing facilities will increase if left unchecked.
