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Nutrition and daily life

Shared plates: hygiene at the family table

At Azerbaijani tables shared dishes, drinking from one glass and "have a taste" are common. But colds, flu, herpes and other infections spread through saliva. This section explains how to keep table hygiene without losing warm family traditions.

Last updated: ~1 min read
Individual plates and serving spoons.
Figure 1.The family table — Shared plates: hygiene at the family table

01Short answer

Put a separate serving spoon in every shared dish. Have your own plate, spoon and glass, and do not share a glass, spoon or fork. Serve yourself first. Do not eat food someone else has bitten or tasted. When feeding children, do not taste their food with your own spoon. If a family member is ill, they should wear a mask and wash their hands. These rules do not mean giving up the family table; eating together lifts the mood.

02Simple explanation

A serving spoon.

Your own glass and spoon.

Serve yourself first.

No bitten food.

03Scientific explanation

Studies: respiratory viruses and herpes spread easily through saliva and shared utensils; during neutropenia such infections can be severe.

WHO: foodborne illness is more severe in people with weakened immunity; the five keys are keep clean, separate, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials.

04What happens in the body?

Guests

Explain politely to guests; most are understanding.

A spoon in a rice dish.
Figure 2.A serving spoon — Shared plates: hygiene at the family table

Tea time

Do not let everyone dip their own spoon in the jam bowl; add a separate spoon.

Your own glass and cutlery.
Figure 3.A personal set — Shared plates: hygiene at the family table

Neutropenia

When neutrophils are low, even ordinary germs can cause serious infection, which is why the rules are stricter.

General rules

This section is part of the general food-safety rules in “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices” and “Food safety: four simple rules”.

05Safety: four steps

Check, swap the risky, prepare properly, use in time.

Check — Date and condition.1CheckDate and condition.
Swap — A safe choice.2SwapA safe choice.
Prepare — Clean and thorough.3PrepareClean and thorough.
In time — No delay.4In timeNo delay.
CleanHands and surfaces.
CookGerms die.
ColdGrowth slows.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
GuestsExplain politely to guests; most are understanding.
Tea timeDo not let everyone dip their own spoon in the jam bowl; add a separate spoon.
NeutropeniaWhen neutrophils are low, even ordinary germs can cause serious infection, which is why the rules are stricter.
General rulesThis section is part of the general food-safety rules in “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices” and “Food safety: four simple rules”.

07Key terms

Herpes
A virus that causes blisters on the lips.
Serving spoon
A spoon for taking food from a shared dish.
Foodborne infection
An infection spread through food or water.
Neutropenia
Low neutrophils.

08Key points

  • Separate utensils.
  • A serving spoon.
  • Keep the family table.
  • When in doubt, throw it out.
  • Call if you have a fever.

09Frequently asked questions

Won't my family be offended?

Explain that it is to protect you.

Can I kiss my child?

If they are healthy, on the cheek; not on the lips, especially with cold sores.

Are these rules for ever?

No. They are usually relaxed as blood counts recover; your team will say.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Won't my family be offended?

  2. Can I kiss my child?

  3. Are these rules for ever?

My questions

12Sources

  1. World Health Organization. Five Keys to Safer Food manual
  2. World Health Organization. Food safety fact sheet
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safe Food Handling
  4. National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
  5. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Ginger
  6. Supportive Care in Cancer, 2023. 2023 updated MASCC/ESMO consensus recommendations: prevention of nausea and vomiting following high-emetic-risk antineoplastic agents
  7. Cancer, 2020. MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines for the management of mucositis secondary to cancer therapy
  8. Cancer.Net (ASCO). Dehydration
  9. American Cancer Society. Diarrhea
  10. NHS (UK). Dehydration
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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