HEPATITIS C FROM FOOD

[rajeev1955]

HELLO DOCTOR,

I HAVE READ THAT HEPATITIS C IS NOT SPREAD FROM SHARING FOOD.
BUT IS IT POSSIBLE IF THE FOOD IS CONTAMINATED WITH HEPATITIS POSITIVE BLOOD.
THIS QUESTION POPED BECAUSE THE PERSON WHO COOKS FOOD FOR MY ORGANISATION HAS HEPATITIS C AND I SAW HIM CUTTING HIS FINGER WITH A KNIFE WHILE CUTTING SALAD YEASTERDAY

1) IF I EAT RAW SALAD (NOT COOKED VEGETABLES) CONTAMINATED WITH HEPATITIS C BLOOD ON IT CAN I GET INFECTED WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS.

2) IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET TRANSMITTED IF HEPATITIS C POSITIVE BLOOD GOES INTO MY MOUTH OR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.

3)IF THERE ARE CUTS AND SORES IN MY MOUTH DOES IT INCREASE MY RISK

REGARDS
RAJ

[Dr Mervyn Tyrer, MB BCh; Dip HIV Medicine, Freedomhealth London]

I think thats what I said Rajeev.Merv

[rajeev1955]

Thanks a lot doctor for the reply...
So I hope I don't need to get tested for this exposure
Please reply soon

Thanks
Rajeev

[Dr Mervyn Tyrer, MB BCh; Dip HIV Medicine, Freedomhealth London]

Hello Rajeev, this is most unlikely and I do not believe any of the questions you have postulated would result in you becoming infected with Hepatitis C. It may be an idea for the gentleman concerned not to prepare salads but I don't believe it presents a signifcant rsik. Merv