Winter flu hygiene - save your money: Water rules!

[PMRpro]

medscape.com/viewarticle/91...

"Simple handwashing — even without soap — is more effective than many hand disinfectants for killing influenza A virus (IAV) in typical clinical situations, new data show.

The researchers say the key factor that determines the effectiveness of ethanol-based disinfectants (EBDs) is whether there is wet mucus surrounding the virus. Wet mucus prevents the disinfectant from reaching the virus, which means the virus remained active after 120 seconds of EBD exposure.

By contrast, washing hands under plain water for 30 seconds inactivated the virus, regardless of whether it was initially surrounded by wet or dry mucus.

"The physical properties of mucus protect the virus from inactivation," lead researcher Ryohei Hirose, PhD, MD, a physician and molecular gastroenterologist at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan, said in a news release. "Until the mucus has completely dried, infectious IAV can remain on the hands and fingers, even after appropriate antiseptic hand rubbing."

Hand washing, hand washing - even without soap!

[Rugger]

The first thing I do after getting home with the groceries is wash my hands - even before unpacking the shopping bags.

[Longtimer in reply to Rugger]

Me too......

.....

[Hidden in reply to Rugger]

Yep.... Let's hope the person who put it on the shelf knows that and the checkout... 😉

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

When l was on Chemo, Terry had his wipes so when he went to the Supermarket he wiped the handle of the trolly & the Scanner Thingy, then washed his hands when he got back.

We used to wipe down cafe tables in the hospital & the arms of the chairs.

It worked, as germs are a serious Pneumonia Threat when you’re on Chemo.

It’s such 2nd Nature to us now & if it keeps me/us/you well who cares if it’s a bit OCD

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I think it's a sensible thing to do. The last thing you need o. Chemo is another illness. You had enough on your plate!! I don't care what people think anymore. Don't shake hands when I meet people... Including the gastro the other day. Think she thought it was a bit ott.. 🤣🤣🤣

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No, l don’t like shaking hands particularly anymore! 🧤

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

They say there is a lot to be said for fist bumps! And hugs ...

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

I do fistbump a bit and if no snotty noses... A hug.

[nickm001]

In addition to washing hands, rinsing mouth and throat is just as important. or alternatively, one can have tea or just plain water because viruses get washed down into stomach and most of them cannot survive in that environment.

[Hellyowl]

Absolutely. I take a handbag sized gel everywhere and always wash my hands before starting a meal in restaurants because of handrails and doors. No end of people fail to wash their hands after the toilet. I try to push doors open with my elbow or use a tissue. My oh thinks I am obsessive but I don't get many bugs despite the rubbish immune system.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hellyowl]

I have gel - I almost never use it and rarely get infections either. But I do use tap water any time it is there - not even with soap. And that was my point - water is more important than the gels in terms of flu.

[Jackoh]

Always use soap and water at home but when I’m out I do use the gel. I know soap and water is more effective but I hate using the drying machines and I’m sure a lot of folk rinse their hands after using the toilet and then with semi wet hands open and close all the doors. I usually wash hands again when I come home from shops or cafes . I do think you can’t be too careful and we need to ignore what others think or say.