AN increase in backyard tattooing and body piercing has lead to higher than average rates of Hepatitis C in northern NSW.

It is also likely there are many people who do not know they are infected as symptoms rarely occur at the time of infection.

North Coast Public Health Unit environmental health officer David Basso said with the increasing popularity of these trends there are reports in the community of these activities occurring in backyard situations in potentially non-sterile environments.

“It might be quicker and cheaper than visiting a registered operator, but the results could be disastrous for those concerned,” Mr Basso said.

“The increased risk of exposure to blood-borne viruses and other complications, such as scarring and skin infections after having a procedure carried out by someone who is untrained and inexperienced in infection control practices and sterilisation, just isn’t worth it.”

North Coast and Mid-North Local Health Districts manager of HIV and related programs Jenny Heslop said although a number of public health strategies had contributed to minimising the rates of transmission there was still a long way to go to get on top of this issue.

“Hepatitis C and B are two different viruses. Both cause liver inflammation and liver disease. As they are blood-borne viruses, infected blood has to enter the blood stream of another person for infection to occur,” Ms Heslop said.

“People should consider being tested if they have ever shared injecting equipment or had an unsterile tattoo or body piercing; come from, or had medical treatment in a country with high rates of hepatitis C or received blood or blood products prior to 1990.”

Tweed residents are encouraged to only visit licensed businesses for tattoos and body piercing.