[SBE] H1N1 Response

[Jeff Carter]

Can't speak for him, but I got the idea from the CDC.  

Antibacterial handcleaners will protect you from viruses sort of in the same 
way Duct Tape and plastic will protect you from chemical warfare.

From the page at 

http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/

we get this:

"It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 
seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an 
alcohol-based product to clean your hands."

I take this to mean that "if you can't *really* wash your hands, this is 
better than nothing.  Sort of".

Also, from http://www.accessexcellence.org/HHQ/qow/qow04/qow041004.php

There was "no significant effect of antibacterial product use on infectious 
disease symptoms"

"One explanation for the findings is that the infections that occurred might 
have been viral and not bacterial, Larson says. Antibacterial products aren't 
supposed to have an effect on viruses. On the other hand, there may be a 
popular perception that these products will combat any infection. 'When I buy 
an antibacterial product, in my mind, I'm thinking this is going to reduce my 
risk of infections,' Larson says. 'Consumers don't think about the fact that 
most of the infections healthy people get are cold, flu and diarrhea caused 
by viruses.'"

Forgive me, but I'm going to have to go with the CDC on this one.

Jeff


On Saturday May 2 2009 05:48, Alan Alsobrook wrote:

> A9xw at cs.com wrote:

> > Put the bottles away, the hand sanitizers do not work on virus.

>

> Where did you get this idea? They do just fine.