Do We Really Need Anti-Viral Kleenex?
Written: Feb 12 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Kills 99.9% of cold/flu viruses, protects hands from contacting viruses
Cons: Layers separate, and they can burn raw, sensitive skin and membranes in the nostrils
The Bottom Line: Kleenex Anti-Viral Tissues play a small part in controlling the spread of cold/flu viruses. The Citric Acid can burn sensitive skin, but they are worth it overall.
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| logimom's Full Review: Kleenex Anti-Viral Tissue |
This past year, the flu season hype has become almost as epidemic as the flu itself. . . and for good reason. The 2003-04 season began earlier than most and was moderately severe, with many deaths – 152 of those being children. I think all the hype has really increased the general public's awareness of the seriousness of this disease, and they're doing more to protect themselves. In my observations, the 2004-05 season has been relatively mild to this point compared to last season – fewer reported cases and deaths, even though the same basic and some newer strains are hitting us. . . and even with the vaccine shortage. (I get some of this information from weekly and annual CDC reports at the hospital I work for, but they are available to the public at www.CDC.gov.)
The public is paying attention, and so are product companies.
There has been an increase in marketing of anti-bacterial and anti-viral products, which started way before the flu season. Anti-bacterial/viral wipes, hand gels, and now Kleenex.
Initial Thought: How cool is that?
When you have snotty-nosed kids, you make regular trips down the tissue aisle. On one such occasion I spotted these Kleenex Anti-Viral tissues and thought, How cool is that? I won’t have to use salad tongs to pick up the nasty Kleenex anymore.
Kleenex Anti-Viral Tissue is a moisture-activated facial tissue designed to kill common cold and flu viruses from droplets caught in the tissue, thus protecting the hands from contacting the viruses. Kleenex states these tissues kill 99.9% of these viruses within 15 minutes. These tissues are 3-ply, with the middle layer containing the anti-viral ingredients, and are easily identified as the Anti-Viral brand by the little blue dots all over the layer. They are standard size tissues, measuring 8.4 X 8.2 inches. I've seen them available in the 120-count rectangular box and the 60-count cubed box.
Active anti-viral ingredients include food-grade Citric Acid and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Since these ingredients are food-grade, the EPA does not require any warning labels, and the tissues are safe for little ones.
Kleenex also boldly states that these tissues have not been tested against bacteria, fungi, or other viruses. The virucidal agents in these tissues have been tested and proved to kill the following:
Rhinovirus Type 1A and 2 (common cold viruses)
Influenza A
Influenza B
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Directions for Use
It’s a Kleenex. Blow your nose in it! Seriously, these tissues should be used only as a facial tissue. They are designed for one-time use, then should be properly and promptly discarded. This product is not a surface cleaner, and it will not disinfect inanimate objects (phone, computer, counters, etc.).
The Verdict
There is not one kid in this house that seems to remember where the garbage can is when it comes time to chunk a used tissue. That’s Mom’s job. While it isn’t exactly my favorite chore, I do it. Yeah, you’re thinking, can’t she make them pick up their own Kleenex? Yes, I can and I do – when the kids are there and I see the tissues. After they’re gone to school or wherever is when I find them. In the couch cushions, side pockets of the recliner, in their bed sheets, etc. Kids are just nasty and have to be taught to not be nasty. Using these Kleenex Anti-Viral Tissues makes me more confident that we aren't picking up any more bugs than usual. I still flee to the sink to wash my hands after handling them, but that’s just a good common-sense habit.
While all that is neat, the product does have some irritating factors. The tissues are not overly soft. They could be much worse, though. The 3-ply layers are also easily separated, which I find a little aggravating. If you put a fresh one in your pocket just in case you need one quickly, you are more apt to pull out only a layer or two of it. The layers also fall apart when you’re using it, too. The thing that literally irritates me the most is that these tissues burn and irritate the skin and membranes inside the nostrils, especially if they are raw. I attribute this to the Citric Acid. During my bout with a bad cold, I had to stop using them because they really burned my raw, sensitive skin around my nose and just inside my nostrils.
So, are they worth it? Ultimately, I think so. They really don’t cost any more than regular tissues (maybe a few cents more in some areas). My biggest gripe is the burning irritation they cause me, but honestly, that will affect not everyone. You have to be the judge on that. These tissues provide a window of comfort for the family. Let’s face it. When you aren’t looking, kids will share or pick up each other’s tissues. Using the Kleenex Anti-Viral Tissues gives me some reassurance that indiscriminate pediatric tissue-sharing won’t be an extra contributor of sickness (while I’m teaching them not to do that). So far this season, we’ve only had a couple of bad colds hit us. No flu, which is a good thing, since none of us was able to get the flu vaccine until recently (in the last week).
The best defense against the spread of cold and flu is still good old-fashioned hand washing. But there are many times you aren’t able to get to a sink or you don’t have any hand gel. Using Kleenex Anti-Viral Tissues plays a small part in decreasing that spread. Sorry, it still doesn’t take out the grossness of having to pick up a nasty tissue, but you can rest assured that grossed out is all you’ll get from it.
For more information on Kleenex Anti-Viral Tissues and flu facts, visit the Kleenex web site: www.Kleenex.com.
© 2005 Donna L. Standridge
Recommended:
Yes
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logimom
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Member: Donna Standridge
Location: Texarkana, Texas
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