Dr Vikram Vora
(Medical Director (Indian Subcontinent) at International SOS)
Even in 2025, hepatitis quietly threatens millions, despite being a disease often thought of as belonging to the past. For most people, it doesn’t appear on daily checklists or in health conversations. Yet this virus continues to silently affect lives, sometimes in ways we least expect. Ironically, some of the very symbols of modern adulthood—tattoos, piercings, vaccinations, and routine medical treatments—can sometimes contribute to new infections.
With young professionals juggling careers, social lives, and personal milestones, it’s easy to overlook the hidden risks. Tattoos may mark individuality, wellness clinics promise rejuvenation, and injections are routine—but each carries its own set of potential hazards when safety protocols are ignored. Awareness and careful choices have never been more crucial.
The Illusion of Vaccine Protection
Hepatitis B vaccines have existed for decades and are highly effective, but protection is not always guaranteed. In India, universal vaccination for newborns was introduced only in 2007. Anyone born before that may have missed doses or never completed the full vaccine series. Even among those vaccinated, gaps remain due to missed boosters or a lack of adult catch-up programmes.
Adding to the problem, many clinics do not routinely check a patient’s immunity before administering injections or minor procedures. Assumptions often replace diligence, leaving people unknowingly vulnerable. A person may believe they are protected simply because they received vaccines as a child, but immunity can wane over time, and boosters are essential to maintain long-term protection.
Today, a simple anti-HBs antibody test can confirm immunity. Getting vaccinated if needed remains one of the most effective ways to stay protected. It’s a small action with a large impact. Taking ten minutes to verify your immunity can prevent years of worry, medical complications, or even liver damage later in life.
Tattoos and Piercings: A Growing Risk
Tattoos have become a rite of passage for many young adults—a way to express individuality, celebrate milestones, or simply embrace art on the skin. But behind the buzz of the tattoo machine lies a risk often overlooked: exposure to blood-borne viruses like hepatitis B and C.
While professional studios maintain strict hygiene standards, unregulated parlours offering cheap and fast services often cut corners. Reused needles, improperly sterilised equipment, and contaminated ink create ideal conditions for the virus to spread. Piercings carry similar risks. Even a small lapse in hygiene—a needle reused once or equipment not properly sterilised—can have lifelong consequences.
Choosing a licensed studio, asking to see needles and inks being opened in front of you, and confirming sterilisation protocols can make the difference between safe self-expression and serious health complications. For many young adults, this caution may feel unnecessary or intrusive, but it is the single most effective step toward avoiding infection.
It’s also worth noting that hepatitis infections acquired through tattoos or piercings are particularly sneaky—they can remain dormant for years, causing liver damage long before symptoms appear. That tiny artistic design on your arm could inadvertently harbour a silent threat, making vigilance more important than ever.
Unsafe Medical Practices: Still a Concern in 2025
It is surprising, but unsafe injections and medical practices remain a reality, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Wellness centres, clinics, and even spas offering IV drips, vitamin shots, or cosmetic injections may reuse needles or skip proper sterilisation. Small lapses in hygiene at salons, dental clinics, or during routine medical procedures can also pose risks, as hepatitis B and C can spread through microscopic amounts of infected blood.
Many people assume medical environments are automatically safe. After all, you trust the professionals. But even minor oversights like not changing gloves, using unsterilised instruments, or reusing syringes can put anyone at risk. A routine dental procedure, cosmetic injection, or even a manicure can potentially be a source of infection if hygiene protocols are not followed.
Being vigilant about where you go for medical treatments or cosmetic services is essential. Ask questions, observe equipment handling, and insist on visible sterilisation practices. These small steps may seem inconvenient, but they can make a massive difference in preventing hepatitis infection and protecting long-term liver health.
Hepatitis often hides in plain sight.
Unlike many illnesses, hepatitis doesn’t always announce itself with obvious symptoms. It can silently damage the liver for years, with signs often appearing only when irreversible harm has already occurred. Fatigue, jaundice, or digestive discomfort may surface decades after the initial infection.
In 2025, the risk is no longer confined to unsafe transfusions or drug use. Everyday choices—getting tattoos or piercings without verifying hygiene, assuming vaccination equals immunity, or accepting injections in minimally regulated clinics—can all contribute to new infections. The disease quietly exploits lapses in awareness and precaution, making prevention and education more important than ever.
Silent transmission is particularly concerning because it often goes unnoticed until liver damage is significant. By the time symptoms appear, treatment is more complex and outcomes less predictable. Awareness, early testing, and preventive measures are therefore crucial for long-term health.
Taking Charge of Your Health
The good news is that protecting yourself from hepatitis is straightforward, and prevention is often simpler than treatment. Start with screening: testing for hepatitis B and C can provide clarity on your current health status. If you are not immune, complete vaccinations promptly and keep track of your booster schedule. Regular antibody tests can confirm that protection is still active, particularly for adults who may not have received a full vaccine series in childhood.
Safety in medical and cosmetic settings is equally important. Whether visiting a clinic, dental office, wellness centre, or salon, ensure that sterilisation protocols are visibly in place. Ask to see sealed syringes, single-use needles, or disposable tools being used. Choosing reputable providers isn’t just a precaution—it’s a responsibility toward yourself and others.
Education and awareness go a long way. Sharing this knowledge with friends, family, or colleagues can prevent new infections. Often, a simple conversation can save someone from years of silent liver damage. Awareness multiplies impact, and informed communities are the best defence against preventable diseases.
Balancing Modern Life and Safety
Modern life celebrates individuality, convenience, and self-expression. Tattoos, wellness treatments, and piercings are part of a broader lifestyle narrative, reflecting personal choices and creative expression. However, freedom must always come with responsibility. A few minutes of caution today—checking hygiene standards, verifying immunity, or asking questions—can prevent lifelong health complications.
Health may not be visible or trendy, but it is by far the most valuable investment one can make. While tattoos may fade, wellness trends may change, and cosmetic procedures may evolve, the consequences of neglecting safety are long-lasting. Conscious decision-making today ensures that your body remains a safe, healthy, and reliable vessel for all your future choices.
In 2025, staying safe from hepatitis is less about medical complexity and more about awareness, diligence, and informed choices. The virus may be silent, but your actions don’t have to be. Whether it’s a tattoo, a piercing, or a routine injection, vigilance can prevent food infection and safeguard your health for years to come. Your body tells your story—make sure it’s one that’s healthy, vibrant, and free from preventable risks. Hepatitis may hide in plain sight, but awareness, preventive care, and thoughtful choices are your most powerful defences. Health might not always be visible, but it is, without question, the most valuable investment you will ever make.