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Can handling raw food items cause risk of HIV or syphilis?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have a situation. As I am working a lot with food, would it be possible to get a disease from not washing food? For example, I cut myself with the sharp end of a banana, and my finger was bleeding. Is it possible to get hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, or other diseases from this? The same with knives and forks. To explain to you the situation, I work with homeless people.

Thank you in advance for your answer.
Answered by Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula is a well-experienced Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, and Hair Transplant Surgeon. He is skilled in treating a wide range of skin, hair, and cosmetic concerns, including acne, pigmentation, aging-related changes, and skin disorders. Dr. Bahunuthula specializes in advanced hair restoration techniques, aesthetic procedures, laser treatments, and minimally invasive cosmetic solutions. He emphasizes personalized care, natural-looking results, and improving patients’ confidence and overall appearance.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Certain diseases can be transmitted through raw food, especially raw meat, such as warts, herpes, pox viruses, etc. However, diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis are not transmitted by handling food, and you need not panic regarding these. It is advisable to wear protective gloves when handling raw meat.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At June 19, 2022
Reviewed At December 31, 2025

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula is a well-experienced Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, and Hair Transplant Surgeon. He is skilled in treating a wide range of skin, hair, and cosmetic concerns, including acne, pigmentation, aging-related changes, and skin disorders. Dr. Bahunuthula specializes in advanced hair restoration techniques, aesthetic procedures, laser treatments, and minimally invasive cosmetic solutions. He emphasizes personalized care, natural-looking results, and improving patients’ confidence and overall appearance.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Dermatology

Consult this doctor

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula is a well-experienced Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, and Hair Transplant Surgeon. He is skilled in treating a wide range of skin, hair, and cosmetic concerns, including acne, pigmentation, aging-related changes, and skin disorders. Dr. Bahunuthula specializes in advanced hair restoration techniques, aesthetic procedures, laser treatments, and minimally invasive cosmetic solutions. He emphasizes personalized care, natural-looking results, and improving patients’ confidence and overall appearance.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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