Tattoos are a trend these days. The young generation is particularly fascinated by those lovely designed Tattoos. The notion of engraving wings, snakes, butterflies or may be just a pair of initials drive the generation crazy as a loon. But, ever wonder these Tattoos can force your way to the dangerous hepatitis B or C virus and even HIV. Well, they actually can.

The doctors have warned that tattoos are a prospective cause for transmission of the lethal hepatitis B and C virus, and even HIV.

The threat lies in the process of getting a permanent tattoo, which includes piercing the skin with a needle and injecting coloured ink in desired designs. So, if the needle is infected, then the odds of transmission of the hepatitis virus spikes up manifold.

Ajay K. Sachdev, Head of Surgical Gastroenterology at the Gurgaon’s Artemis Health Institute, has warned: “Needles are not the only things that can cause transmission of the hepatitis virus or even HIV. The silent culprits are the expensive ink bottles in which the artist dips his needle time and again while doing the tattoo”.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the viral hepatitis swallows more people than any other communicable disease in Southeast Asia.

In order to address the alarming situation along with spreading awareness throughout the world, July 28 has been dubbed the first official ‘World Hepatitis Day’.