Posted on 11/22/2001 10:41:27 PM PST by L.N. Smithee
Thursday November 22 10:44 AM ET
By Charnicia E. Huggins
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The first case of brain abscess following tongue piercing has been identified in a 22-year-old female, according to two Yale researchers.
``Since tongue piercing appears to be becoming increasingly popular...we feel it is important for physicians, the public and those performing the piercings to be aware of the potential complications,'' Dr. Richard A. Martinello of Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, told Reuters Health.
``However, since this is the only case reported in the medical literature, the frequency of this particular complication is likely very low,'' he added.
In this case, the patient reported tongue swelling and pus drainage around the piercing site about 2 to 3 days after having her tongue pierced. She initially tolerated the symptoms, but pulled the stud out within 1 or 2 days, after which her symptoms improved, according to Martinello and colleague Dr. Elizabeth Cooney.
Four weeks later, however, the patient began experiencing headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting and dizziness and was also increasingly wobbly while walking, the report indicates. She had a history of drug use, but denied using drugs during the previous 5 months and was HIV (news - web sites) negative.
An MRI brain imaging scan revealed an abscess in the patient's brain, and she subsequently underwent surgery to drain the abscess. Upon examination of the drained fluid, the researchers found that it was contaminated with Streptococcus viridans and other normal mouth bacteria typically found in plaque, Martinello said.
The patient consequently received 6 weeks of antibiotic therapy and fully recovered.
In light of both the onset of symptoms following the removal of the tongue jewelry and the types of bacteria identified in the drained fluid, the brain abscess most likely resulted from the tongue piercing, according to Martinello and Cooney.
What's more, the relatively few reports of infection following tongue piercing may be due to reporting bias, rather than a true lack of incidents, the researchers speculate. Other reports of infection include a chest abscess and a heart infection.
``As the popularity of body art grows, frequency and spectrum of piercing site infections may increase,'' the investigators conclude.
``I think it is very important that people be aware that if they do experience any significant pain, swelling, fever or drainage from the piercing site, they (should) see their physician to have the area assessed for an infection,'' Martinello added.
The findings were presented recently in San Francisco, California, during the 39th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
"She had a history of drug use"
BTW, how does one tallk with a mouthful of hardware like that?
"First tattoo on mind...then on body."
I personally think piercings are ugly and disgusting, but I am not ready to condemn anyone on the basis of their choice to have a piercing or a tattoo. I don't think there is a natural correlation between drug abuse and piercings. My own kids would not get through the door with any kind of piercings, although one daughter has a very small tattoo on her ankle that she almost immediately wished she had not gotten. Some of this is, however, fads that kids think are cool. I remember blowing surfer bubbles was a big deal when I was younger. Putting jewels on finger nails painted with finely intricate detail is big. Or a jewel in the belly button. Or more than one piercing in each ear.
When people have
The client has to wear ear plugs.
Ahhhh, is that your tongue?
Whether you do or "do not seek approval of others," people make judgements about each other. In the case of tatoos and piercings, I surmise it is done to evoke a certain response from others.
From those of similar tastes, it says: "I want your approval..I am a rebel, like you."
And from those who dislike the body mutilations, it says: "Please disapprove of me..I am a rebel, unlike you. I reject your values, and seek your disapproval."
One thing is certain, because I have discussed it with employers. Many will see it as a sign of questionable judgement, regardless of whether you think it should be so. As such, it limits an individual's career potential in certain professional fields.
Why it became " cool " to body pierce , is quite beyond me,
Excellent point! Some try to be "enlightened" & claim that it's all value-neutral, just their own decision & shouldn't be given a moral judgement. And in one sense they are correct. But you are also correct: How we display ourselves is a form of communication, and as such is necessarily translated by everyone we meet into their current "language" that they "understand". How can it not be?
I'm still waiting for earrings on men to disappear completely. I never forgave them for stealing one of our major feminine symbols. Weird how earrings on men seem to have some staying power in certain defined subcultures, such as in macho black atheletes. A total inversion of their original meaning, which is very very jarring. (But that's also a generational thang. I date myself by my revulsion.)
Good Lord. You cannot possibly be serious. Whether or not she has a tattoo or has pierced a part of her body is of no consequence to you and will not effect your life in any way, shape or form. I would say that you are the one that needs to grow up.
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