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True or false: only antibacterial soap kills viruses?
1) True
2) False

User Lukino
by
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1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Antibacterial soap is not the only kind of soap that can kill viruses, as regular soap is also effective due to its ability to disrupt the lipid membranes that encase them. The overuse of antibacterial soap can lead to antibacterial resistance, making infections harder to treat.

Step-by-step explanation:

False, only antibacterial soap does not exclusively kill viruses.

Regular soap and water can be very effective at removing all types of germs from hands, including viruses. This is because the mechanical action of scrubbing with soap disrupts the lipid membrane of viruses, effectively inactivating them. On the other hand, certain components in antibacterial soaps, like triclosan, are specifically targeted against bacteria and may not have the same effect on viruses. Moreover, the overuse of antibacterial soap containing triclosan can lead to the development of antibacterial resistance. Triclosan-resistant bacterial strains have been identified, posing a significant health risk as they may become resistant to antibacterial treatments, potentially increasing the risk of infection.

User Henryk Budzinski
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7.4k points
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