Spring Break
The Daily OrangeGerm warfare
Illness prevention may cause unwanted illness
By Erinn Connor
Posted: 3/24/08, 10:45 PM EST Section: Feature
The data Aiello discovered through her studies showed soaps containing triclosan, which is the main germ-fighting ingredient in antibacterial soaps, doesn't help in fighting germs compared to regular soap.
Another popular preventative supplement was proven ineffective earlier this month. Airborne, a tablet that in earlier advertisements claimed to prevent the flu and cold and ward off harmful bacteria and viruses, settled a 23.3 million dollar lawsuit that claimed Airborne falsely advertised its product.
While the manufacturers of Airborne did not admit to any wrongdoing, the advertisements now speak of the tablet as an immune system booster rather than cold and flu prevention. Airborne is no longer sold in the Syracuse University Health Center pharmacy.
So does this mean all of Anderson's preventative measures are all for nothing? Not to her.
"I actually haven't gotten sick at all this year," Anderson said. "So I think it's working, even though it might seem like I'm being overcautious."
One of Anderson's favorite methods of fighting off illness is by using Purell, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Purell claims to kill "99.99 percent of most common germs that may cause illness in as little as 15 seconds," according to its label.
"I use a lot of Purell," Anderson said. "I use it a lot whenever I feel like I'm getting sick. I've rubbed off on my friends too; I've gotten people hooked on Purell."
And it seems it's not uncommon. Purell can be seen everywhere from doctor's offices to dorm rooms to keychains. Purell has made it easy and convenient for people to keep their hands clean whenever and wherever they want.
"I think a lot of the interest has stemmed from the flu pandemic," Jacobs said. "But there has been an overall increase in the interest of hand sanitizer products."
During the flu vaccine shortage in 2005, SU Health Services had Purell dispensers installed in dining halls across campus to promote prevention and try to avoid the spreading of germs, said James Ponzi, senior manager of SU Food Services
Another popular preventative supplement was proven ineffective earlier this month. Airborne, a tablet that in earlier advertisements claimed to prevent the flu and cold and ward off harmful bacteria and viruses, settled a 23.3 million dollar lawsuit that claimed Airborne falsely advertised its product.
While the manufacturers of Airborne did not admit to any wrongdoing, the advertisements now speak of the tablet as an immune system booster rather than cold and flu prevention. Airborne is no longer sold in the Syracuse University Health Center pharmacy.
So does this mean all of Anderson's preventative measures are all for nothing? Not to her.
"I actually haven't gotten sick at all this year," Anderson said. "So I think it's working, even though it might seem like I'm being overcautious."
One of Anderson's favorite methods of fighting off illness is by using Purell, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Purell claims to kill "99.99 percent of most common germs that may cause illness in as little as 15 seconds," according to its label.
"I use a lot of Purell," Anderson said. "I use it a lot whenever I feel like I'm getting sick. I've rubbed off on my friends too; I've gotten people hooked on Purell."
And it seems it's not uncommon. Purell can be seen everywhere from doctor's offices to dorm rooms to keychains. Purell has made it easy and convenient for people to keep their hands clean whenever and wherever they want.
"I think a lot of the interest has stemmed from the flu pandemic," Jacobs said. "But there has been an overall increase in the interest of hand sanitizer products."
During the flu vaccine shortage in 2005, SU Health Services had Purell dispensers installed in dining halls across campus to promote prevention and try to avoid the spreading of germs, said James Ponzi, senior manager of SU Food Services
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