Can colored soap and germ killing surfaces be the answer to the H1N1 virus?

Time and time again, Penn students are told to wash their hands to prevent the onset of the H1N1 virus and other illnesses. Are there any other preventative measures other than simple hand washing? From personal experience, no matter how many times I may seem to wash my hands, I end up getting sick.

For example, one type of “biomedical technology” that can help prevent the swine flu pandemic at Penn and beyond is hand soap that will turn a different shade of color when it is exposed to the bacteria. Instead of quickly washing one’s hands, a person can take the time to make sure all the bacteria-colored areas are washed well. Someone can fulfill the action of washing their hands, but do not do so in a way to kill all the bacteria. This “bacteria-activated” soap is just one way to assure that people’s hands are as clean as possible. If the swine flu is transmitted primarily by touching others, cleaner hands will enable us to control the pandemic in a slightly easier fashion.

Another technology to help better manage the swine flu pandemic is the installation of bacteria-free surfaces in classrooms and offices. Bioengineers are currently developing countertops with built-in chemicals on the surface to kill bacteria. While these countertops do not currently kill all bacteria, the idea of developing desks and chairs with such bacteria-free surfaces can significantly reduce the number of swine flu sufferers. The installation of bacteria free surfaces in hospitals, schools, and offices may reduce the spreading of diseases. On a daily basis, people are in close contact with their coworkers, fellow students, etc… If they must work in such close proximity, it would be beneficial for these people to work around surfaces that are bacteria free.

It is not practical to quarantine each and every individual during cold and flu season, so for now, it is best if bioengineers can work around their situation and improve the working environment. There will never be an office or hospital that is 100% bacteria free, but the technologies mentioned above can help manage the swine flu pandemic.