I note most of the instructions emphasize using hot water and soap, which mirrors what I know of anti-flu remedies.
But there's also a \"wipe surfaces with antibiotic cloth\" which makes me want to draw upon the wisdom of our commentators.
My understanding is that antibiotics don't work for viruses. They may protect for the cold, say, or the Bubonic Plague, but if Ebola or Swine bugs comes knocking, the anti-bio wipes are a wasted effort.

Is this true, and are antibacterial wipes a scam in this regard?

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oneandone

May 4, 2009 4:13 PM

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@Trai_Dep: Hot water and soap - definitely.

I didn't see any mention of antibiotic cloths, but they did list this:

\"Keep night tables, bathroom surfaces, kids' toys, and other surfaces and items clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant; follow label directions.\"

Perhaps that's what you're thinking of? (or antibacterials are mentioned in the video, which I can't watch now).

If so, disinfectant =/= antibacterial. A product that claims to \"disinfect\" items, surfaces, or rooms has to meet standards set by the EPA. It includes different types of viruses and bacteria. These products technically are anti-microbial pesticides and details of their regulation are here:

[www.epa.gov]

It's extremely important to remember that these products are:
1) tested in lab conditions, mostly. So your experience may be different. They do try to capture typical use situations, but there are limitations.
2) Tested when used according to label directions. NOT what you see in commericals. No 'wipe and all the germs disappear'. You usually have to pre-wash w soap & water, let things soak for 10 minutes or so, and post-wash.

(PS - these regulations do not apply to anything you apply to your body - hand soap, etc - or use on medical equipment. Also, disinfect =/= sterilize)

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floraposte

May 4, 2009 4:51 PM

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@oneandone: The video is all about face masks, and everything else is recommending disinfectant or hand sanitizer, not antibacterial substances. I think it's just easy to get disinfectants and antibacterials blended together in the brain--I've been seeing that happen in a few places.

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oneandone

May 4, 2009 5:06 PM

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@floraposte: Thanks for the summary. It's definitely an understandable confusion - and I don't think all the marketing for anti-this and that have helped. I hope I didn't come across as too lecture-ish; I love going on and on about infectious diseases, and it's nice to have a legitimate opportunity to do so.

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oneandone

May 4, 2009 4:16 PM

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@oneandone: I just realized that though the link above is pretty comprehensive, it is dull and not quite comprehendable. This link w/in the reg site gives you a more concise overview of antimicrobial products:

[www.epa.gov]

(or click on 'what are antimicrobial pesticides?')

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Zagroseckt

May 4, 2009 4:53 PM

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in reply to Trai_Dep

Your answer is yes and no.

No it will not stop the virus itself anymore than wipping down the same place with hot soapy water.

Yes it will help you out ALLOT if you do get the flue.
The if the virus gets into your system you're much more likely to pickup an infection making things much worse for you during the recovery period.

Remember folks. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER FLU
it's not any worse than the regular flue aside from the fact it can jump to piggies making them sick. then back again.

The whole PANIC phase of this is do to the fact that the normle flue shot dosn't cover this strain leaving you open to infection. if you get it it's basickly the flue see a doc get antiviruls if you catch it soon enough stay in bed drink lots of liquid and gripe at your respictive famelys to be quiet becos the slightest sound makes your ears ring..

(i just got over a case of what's probly the first time in 10 years of having anything that resumbles the flue)

i had a temp of 102 for 3 days was grumpy tired hirt all over and had \"a headache THIS BIG\"

Then the fever broke i dealt with some stomach pain for a few hours, finally got some real sleep and I'm doing fine.

i did get lucky it didn't hit my chest. i have trick bronchitis if it would've hit my chest i would have had to hit the hospital for treatment.

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pecan 3.14159265

May 4, 2009 5:53 PM

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I don't want to be mean...but that had to be the most poorly spelled comment I've ever seen, which is weird because a chunk of it with words you would think would be misspelled is spelled correctly.

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