Hi! I have recently found out that a fellow co-worker has Hepatitis C. We work in a restaurant and she frequently prepares food. I must also add that her hygiene isn't the greatest which concerns me further. Should I be worried for myself and for my customers? Thanks in advance.
2006-09-30 11:40:38 · 7 answers · asked by purple_lily76 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Yes it is safe for someone with Hep C to be preparing food. No, you should not be worried for yourself and your customers. Hep c is a blood borne pathogen, which means it is transmitted from blood to blood. HCV must come in contact with another persons blood in order to be spread. Many people don't know about this virus; public education is needed to raise awareness. Many people have the risk factors but haven't been tested.
2006-09-30 12:00:58 · answer #1 · answered by cindy1323 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well i may be wrong but i have always been led to believe that hepatitis C can only be contracted by bodily fluid contact with someone who is infected. Hepatitis C sits in the liver. Most other forms of hepatitis are caught via blood to blood it is not as easy to catch in this way because it just stays in the organ and destroys it but it is possible. Hep C is one of the worst types to get and not curable although it can be stabilised. (my friend has this and was told he had it for about 20 years before he became ill with it,through sharing tattoo needles with silly teenagers) Hope this helps....
2016-03-18 03:09:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First..... Hep C is NOTHING like HIV.
Second...... You spread Hep A by not washing your hands after going to the bathroom. The only time this would be an issue would be if it is her time of the month.
Third... unless her hygine has to do with blood being on her, it really isnt an issue.
I would go to my manager aver her hygine, only if I was 100% sure, without a dout that she has Hep C.
2006-10-04 07:37:47 · answer #3 · answered by devilishgrl14 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As previous people have already stated, Hep C is spread through blood. The chances of your coworker spreading Hep C to customers or other coworkers through the handling of food are impossible. You mentioned her hygeine is poor. I would be more worried about her spreading a bacterial infection or the common cold than spreading Hep C.
2006-10-01 07:12:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your co-worker does not wash her hands after using the bathroom, she could indeed spread Hep C. Or if she cut herself when preparing food and did not properly sanitize the bloody area. And I am sure she also eats at the restaurant as well, correct? The utensils and plates should always be sanitized. When my mother was diagnosed w/ it 7 years ago, her doctor told her to either use bleach or make sure only she used the utensils, plates, etc that she ate off of. And to use a dishwasher as well to sterilize the dishes. The problem w/ bleach is that it reacts w/ dish washing soap.
2006-09-30 16:07:49 · answer #5 · answered by Michelle G 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hep C is a blood borne virus, just like HIV so you can't get it unless your blood comes in contact with the infected person..........so if you'll wear gloves while preparing food (which you should) i don't think you have anything to be worried about.......plus you would NOT believe all the people who have Hep C and DO NOT KNOW IT..........same as HIV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-09-30 11:49:12 · answer #6 · answered by VICTORIA L 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sound arguments.
2016-08-14 04:54:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋