| Expressing oneself can be a valid part of the | | | | you at higher risk of contracting the Hepatitis C |
| maturation process. Not only do teens need to | | | | virus. It is how they are done that really makes |
| find ways to let the world know who and what | | | | the difference between risk levels. For example, |
| they are, but as an adult searching for ways to | | | | it's not a good idea to do them on your own or |
| show how you feel is important as well. There are | | | | have a friend do them. |
| numerous ways to do this self-expression, some | | | | Prisons are probably one of the worst situations in |
| write or draw. | | | | which a tattoo or piercing can be done. That is |
| Others feel tattoos and body piercing are a viable | | | | because the Hepatitis C virus is spread by the |
| method of self-expression. Piercing has certainly | | | | passing of blood to blood and if the needles used |
| changed in the last twenty years, a time when it | | | | for piercing or tattooing have been used before, |
| was only common for a woman to have her ears | | | | and remain unsterile, they can pass this very |
| pierced. Nowadays piercing just about any place | | | | infectious disease. In fact, the incidence of |
| on your body, once or many times, is not | | | | Hepatitis C virus infection in prisons in general is |
| uncommon, and instead of having a woman's ears | | | | higher than the general population. |
| pierced with one hole in each ear, women, and | | | | If you want a tattoo or body piercing, pick a |
| men, may have multiple piercings on a single ear. | | | | reputable shop that looks clean, and check them |
| In the not so distant past, tattoos were | | | | out before you get the work done. Make certain |
| something only the rough crowd had. Ex-cons | | | | that they use sterile needles from an unopened |
| showed off their prison tattoos with pride. But | | | | package. |
| now anyone you pass on the street could have a | | | | You will also want the tattoo artist or piercer to |
| tattoo. From a simple tiny rose on a spot always | | | | wear gloves while they are working on you. This |
| hidden beneath a woman's clothing, to armbands, | | | | is just added protection for fear that they have |
| full sleeves or on some people, most of their | | | | open cuts that could spread any disease. When |
| bodies, you will see it all. | | | | getting a tattoo you will also want clean inkpots |
| Whether you're talking about tattoos or body | | | | to be used. Anything that can be done to protect |
| piercings, there is one thing they have in common | | | | you from the risk of the Hepatitis C infection is |
| other than self-expression. That is that they put | | | | more than worth your while. |