Household Products Can Help Fight Flu, Doctors Say

INDIANAPOLIS -- While many Hoosiers take extra steps to fight back against the flu, some common household products can be a good first line of defense, doctors said.

The Marion County Health Department has urged people to wash their hands thoroughly, cough and sneeze into their sleeves and use hand sanitizer when possible.

More: H1N1 Special Section

But some flu-fighting products can also be helpful in stopping the virus from spreading, 6News' Stacia Matthews reported.

Special anti-viral facial tissue claims to work as a barrier, trapping thousands of respiratory droplets and destroying them within 15 minutes.

The product gets a thumbs up from MCHD Director Dr. Virginia Caine.

"It's a very effective means of cutting down your risk for leaving infectious products in the air," she said.

As for products like LYSOL brand III Disinfectant Spray, which claims to kill both Influenza A and B viruses, Caine said they have also proved effective in stopping the spread of germs.

"As long as they are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, they are very good products for killing the influenza virus," she said.

But Caine said Hoosiers shouldn't worry if their soap isn't antibacterial. She said any soap will do if hands are washed properly.

"Any major brand of soap is effective in eliminating the virus," she said. "It is the friction of washing your hands that helps remove viruses from the surface."

Caine said good hygiene is important, especially because the county has an H1N1 vaccine shortage. It is currently only receiving roughly 20,000 doses each week.