How effective are disinfectants against viruses?

Piste

Hi, main point of the thread is in the title. Say if one had a face full of coldsores at the moment which one swabbed with savlon before sticking on Compeed patches so that they don't get infected by bacteria, then one washed ones hands with savlon to kill the herpes virus so one's family doesn't get it, even though it kills the bacteria on ones lips, do normal bacterial disinfectants kill viruses? Are those alcohol-based anti-bacterial hand gels one uses any use agains viruses like swine flu?



I hate coldsores

Kevster

Hi,

I don't think that alcohol-based products are effective against bacteria, and if the product specifically says that it kills bacteria (and doesn't mention anything else like 'germs') then I doubt that it kills viruses. Just get a more general disinfectant and use that. However, I think that you're taking the wrong approach to your problem, and believe that you would get much better results if you just used a moisturiser.

By the way, viruses aren't regarded as living. They're just 'particles'.

tallaght01

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055475288

I'll leave this open, so you can rephrase it, without reference to your own situation.

Piste

Is that edited enough? Doesn't refer to me at all, totally hypothetical.

Kevster wrote:

Hi,

I don't think that alcohol-based products are effective against bacteria, and if the product specifically says that it kills bacteria (and doesn't mention anything else like 'germs') then I doubt that it kills viruses. Just get a more general disinfectant and use that. However, I think that you're taking the wrong approach to your problem, and believe that you would get much better results if you just used a moisturiser.

By the way, viruses aren't regarded as living. They're just 'particles'.

A moisturiser would do absolutely nothing, least of all kill any more bacteria or viruses than a disinfectant such as savlon! I suppose the basic question is do any disinfectants kill viruses?

Also I'm not sure you're entirely right about viruses being totally non-living. I thought there was some debate about their status as they have both living and non-living characteristics.

Kevster

Piste wrote: »

Also I'm not sure you're entirely right about viruses being totally non-living. I thought there was some debate about their status as they have both living and non-living characteristics.

My view is that the routine of washing with water (to remove dirt and other 'gunk') and subsequently providing a protective emolient layer with a moisturiser would eentually clear things up. Also, in any official textbook, it'll say that viruses are non-living. The only skeptics you'll hear about it are lecturers in colleges (who - if they wrote their own books - would say that they were non-living too anyway).

Piste

You don't sound like someone who's ever had a coldsore, lucky you! (may you never have one, seriously. Let alone three on your face AT THE SAME TIME) putting cream on coldsores can cause them to go gunky and crusty (to use the technical term). Generally the physical barrier of plastic with a coldsore-fighting ingredient is much more effective at keeping bacteria out and stopping the coldsore turning into a giant disgusting mess.

DrIndy

The antiseptic and formulation works differently for different organisms - some are killed quickly but some viruses and bacteria are more resistant.

The best way to be certain is to check the full manufacturer specification for the product to see what it kills and importantly - the time it takes to kill. Some are seconds, some need up to 10 minutes to be effective in sterilising.

Also the mechanism is different - contrary to popular belief - alcohol does not kill bacteria or viruses - it is the alcohol DRYING that does so - so a sterile wipe should be left to dry for a minute ideally to achieve maximum sterility.

Kevster

Piste wrote: »

You don't sound like someone who's ever had a coldsore, lucky you! (may you never have one, seriously. Let alone three on your face AT THE SAME TIME) putting cream on coldsores can cause them to go gunky and crusty (to use the technical term). Generally the physical barrier of plastic with a coldsore-fighting ingredient is much more effective at keeping bacteria out and stopping the coldsore turning into a giant disgusting mess.

lol...I think I have actually, but I just pick them away with my nails and then wash/cleanse (when no-one's looking... ... )

Piste

Ewwwww :P