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November 9, 2009

Disinfecting against the flu -- what really works?

Swine flu's so-called remedies are everywhere, from potions claiming to cure the ill to cleaning products touting they can kill flu germs.

As far as flu cures are concerned, we've shared with you how to detect the real from the bogus. But what about cleaning supplies? Do disinfectants that claim to battle the flu really work?

Well, some do and some don't, according to Polly Ristaino, associate director of hospital epidemiology and infection control for Johns Hopkins. The most important thing to look for in a product is an Environmental Protection Agency label that bares the claim. These products have had extensive testing to meet standards by the EPA, which regulates disinfectants, she said. Manufacturers who tout that their potions kill flu germs without the EPA stamp are false, she said.

Another caveat: there are no EPA-approved products yet that claim to kill the H1N1 virus, but there are tons that say they fight influenza-A, or the seasonal flu. So far, experts believe these seasonal flu fighters can disinfect against the swine flu, since the viruses are similar. The EPA also makes a list of some 500 products on the market that are approved to fight seasonal flu germs and you can find those here.

Cleaning is important, but Ristaino reminds us, you don't need fancy products. "Regular soap and water is just fine," she said. Still, people are taking disinfecting seriously these days. Fears of the virus have even helped propel a 23 percent increase in first quarter sales for Clorox products.

But more important than cleaning the environment is practicing good hand hygiene, said Ristaino. And you all know what that means -- wash your hands frequently and sneeze and cough into your elbow, as public health officials have been drilling into our heads for months.

That's because, the flu -- both seasonal and H1N1 varieties -- is spread through droplets in the air. But those germs can only survive on surfaces anywhere from two to 8 hours, according to the CDC.

If you are convinced you must disinfect every surface to keep yourself healthy (hey, cleaning is never a bad thing, go for it) Ristaino suggests following product instructions carefully. Often, labels specify that you leave the substance on a surface for 15 minutes or more before wiping down. 

Here are some more tips on disinfecting your home.

photo courtesy of the CDC

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 7:00 AM | | Comments (1)
Categories: Swine flu/H1N1
        

Comments

This is a great first step but there are many other things you can do to protect your family - like using a 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach in a gallon of water to disinfect household items from the kitchen to the bathroom to the toy chest, as well as getting plenty of rest and exercise. To find other tips for fighting the flu, visit www.fluandhealth.org.

Scott Jensen, American Chemistry Council

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About Picture of Health
Kelly Brewington came to the health beat a year ago after covering everything from education and government to race and immigration in her 11 years as a reporter. Since then, she has tackled stories on autism, heart failure and acupuncture used to treat drug addiction. She’s been fascinated by medicine since childhood, when her doctor dad and nurse mom gave her Gray’s Anatomy coloring book to play with. She also blames her early exposure to the field of medicine for her hypochondria.

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