I know the risks becoming infected with AIDS/HIV from unsanitary body piercing conditions, but is there an increased risk of contracting the disease after the piercing has been in place for a period of time? On today's Queen Latifah Show, an audience member claimed that having a tongue ring puts one in danger or contracting AIDS. How accurate is this statement?

B.L.

Body piercing is not nearly as dangerous as many people claim. The likelihood of developing local bacterial infections at the site of a piercing is much more common than the possibility of acquiring HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) or hepatitis (viral infections that cause liver inflammation). If the piercing is performed with sterile technique, there is very little risk of any serious infection developing. After one has a body part pierced, an antiseptic is usually applied in an effort to decrease the risk of a local bacterial infection. After a week or so, the skin around the piercing hole usually is completely healed, minimizing the risk of future infection. After about two weeks, it is uncommon to develop an infection around an earring.

Piercing the tongue is not that different from piercing any other area of the body. After a short time, the mucosa (lining) of the tongue will heal around the ring or stud. Until the mucosa heals, however, the risk of acquiring a bloodborne virus will be higher. Both deep kissing and oral sex can spread HIV and some viruses that cause hepatitis. Most of the risk related to these acts occurs when there are open sores in the mouth. Tongue-piercing sores should be no different than sores caused by something else, such as trauma. But the risk is still pretty low, probably lower than that of sexual intercourse.

However, if you are not certain that your partner does not have HIV, you are taking some risk during oral sex or deep kissing, even without a sore. The risk is probably higher if you recently had your tongue pierced. After the tongue mucosa has completely healed, however, the risk should theoretically be no higher than if you had never had your tongue pierced in the first place.