Does hepatitis patient belong in restaurant?

September 21, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Should a person with hepatitis be a restaurant cook? Is there any danger to the customers?

DEAR READER: Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver and to a group of viral infections that affect the liver. There are actually five types: A, B, C, D and E.

A is contracted from the hepatitis A virus. It is spread through the ingestion of food or drink contaminated by infected feces. This is one reason why it is mandated that employees in the food industry wash their hands following a visit to the lavatory during their work shift.
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Milk thistle and hep C

June 8, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 60-year-old male with hepatitis C. I’m doing as much research as I can on this subject and would like your opinion on milk thistle and its benefits, if any.

DEAR READER: There are six hepatitis viruses, A, B, C, D, E and G, with C commonly considered to be the most serious. All forms attack the liver by causing inflammation that results in that organ’s inability to function normally. With a long-standing diagnosis of hep C, cirrhosis, scarring and even cancer can result.
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