In the United States, Flu season typically lasts from October to May. During this period, millions break out the Antibacterial Cleaning Wipes and soap, hoping to avoid the typical flu symptoms. Antibacterial Cleaning Wipe effective against germs and bacteria including MRSA, E-Coli, Listeria, Staphylococcus and Salmonella. This is for good reason, since research by the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases suggests that the flu virus was responsible for over 200,000 hospitalizations annually in the '90s; this was in addition to an average 36,000 deaths a year.

Many of these worst cases are the result of preexisting conditions, such diabetes or asthma. Individuals with these and other potential problems with their immune system need to tread carefully during flu season. Some believe that frequent hand washing with a good antibacterial soap can protect them. This is, however, not true.

Antibacterial Soap

Antibacterial soaps are not as effective as once thought. One study, published in the September 2007 issue of Clinical Infectious Disease journal, reports that antibacterial soaps are not very effective at fighting most types of bacterial. Many doctors are also concerned about cross-resistances.

Triclosan, the chemical in much soap used to fight bacteria, can cause them to build up an immunity to other antibiotics like amoxicillin. This troubling trend has many medical professionals advocating a return to traditional water and soap hand washing.

Even if, however, antibacterial soaps were effective, they would do no harm to the flu virus. It is, on a microscopic level, vastly different from bacteria. Those who believe they are protecting themselves from the flu, are simply wasting their time with an antibacterial soap.

Antibacterial Wet Wipes

Multi-purpose cleaning wipes utilize a different process to kill germs. Rather than an antibacterial agent, most wet wipes utilize alcohol to sterilize a surface. In addition to washing hands with plain soap and water, these wipes will kill viruses like the flu. This includes the more dangerous strains, like the H1N1 swine flu strain.

Bacteria will not become immune to this form of sanitation. As a result, antibacterial wipes do not encourage the growth of resistant, super-bacteria that cannot be killed with traditional antibacterial drugs.

These wipes also have the added benefit of removing dirt and grime. They can be used to wipe a table, steering wheel or telephone handle to both clean and sanitize.

Wipes in the Office

Cleaning blue cloth wipes make a great addition to any business. Companies rely on their employees come to work feeling great. However, a host of viruses can take out vital employees when they are most needed, raise healthcare costs, and put undue stress on other employees. By keeping these tissues around, business owners can ensure a sanitary office and productive employees.

While they are often viewed as an alternative to antibacterial soap, antibacterial wet wipes are very clearly superior to the former. Most importantly, they provide sanitation without the negative consequence of increased resistance of bacteria to general antibiotics. As part of an office, these wipes help keep workspaces clean and germ free, an essential concern for employees and employers. For these reasons, it is a smart to have antibacterial wipes available throughout any office.

Learn more about Wet Wipes at cleanwetwipes.