[Kok! Health] "If You Have Body Piercings or Tattoos, Get This Test Done"

Hepatitis C Caused by Virus Infection
"It's Better to Get Antibody Testing Even Without Symptoms"

If you have received piercing or tattoo procedures in an unhygienic environment, it is advised to get tested for hepatitis C antibodies.

The photo is unrelated to the article content. [Photo provided by Pixabay]

According to Kyung Hee University Hospital on the 11th, hepatitis C caused by viral infection accounts for about 15% of liver cancer cases in South Korea. Since it is transmitted through blood or bodily fluids, the risk of infection increases if you have received acupuncture or tattoos with unsterilized needles.

Professor Park Yewan of the Department of Gastroenterology at Kyung Hee University Hospital warned, "Besides hepatitis B, which is the most common in Korea, hepatitis C is also a serious disease that can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer if left untreated. It takes an average of 30 years to progress to cirrhosis, but more than 70% of patients are asymptomatic, making it difficult for them to recognize the infection."

Diagnosis involves screening tests to check for antibodies against the hepatitis C virus and confirmatory tests using PCR to detect viral genes in the blood. However, it is difficult to confirm infection unless individuals voluntarily undergo related testing.

Professor Park advised, "Although there is currently no preventive vaccine for hepatitis C, recent development of oral antiviral drugs has achieved a cure rate of 98% through medication, with very few complications from treatment. Although these new drugs are expensive, they are covered by national insurance and are excellent for preventing cirrhosis and liver cancer, so active treatment is recommended."

Since chronic hepatitis C can be cured with 2 to 3 months of medication, Professor Park emphasizes the importance of identifying and treating asymptomatic patients. If liver enzyme levels are elevated during a health checkup, it is advisable to undergo hepatitis C-related testing. Even after drug treatment, if liver fibrosis progresses, regular follow-up tests are necessary for ongoing management.

Professor Park stressed, "Patients undergoing hemodialysis, those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hemophilia patients, individuals who have had sexual contact with hepatitis C virus patients, or those who have experienced unhygienic acupuncture, tattoos, or piercings are considered high-risk groups for hepatitis C. Even if there are no symptoms, it is recommended to get an antibody test at least once."

Professor Park Yewan, Department of Gastroenterology, Kyung Hee University Hospital. [Photo by Kyung Hee University Hospital]