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Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Re: What is the effect of disinfectant on HIV?
« on: 31/08/2016 22:22:53 »
"kills" is a tricky concept in the world of the virus. A virus isn't alive.
However like a lot of living things it works because it has a particular arrangement of component parts. Disrupting either those parts or the arrangement will inactivate the virus.
Bleach- as an example will destroy proteins.
Ultraviolet light will destroy the DNA or RNA of the virus.
Exposure to air will have a number of effects.
One is that it will dry out- most viruses will need some water to hold their structures together .
It also allows the virus to be exposed to UV light.
And it also exposes the virus to free radicals- shattered bits of molecules that exist - typically in small concentrations- in the air.
Those radicals are very reactive and- much like hydrogen peroxide- they randomly react with bits of the virus and tear bits out of it.
In the long run, it doesn't matter. The virus gets torn to bits or too mangled to "work".
However like a lot of living things it works because it has a particular arrangement of component parts. Disrupting either those parts or the arrangement will inactivate the virus.
Bleach- as an example will destroy proteins.
Ultraviolet light will destroy the DNA or RNA of the virus.
Exposure to air will have a number of effects.
One is that it will dry out- most viruses will need some water to hold their structures together .
It also allows the virus to be exposed to UV light.
And it also exposes the virus to free radicals- shattered bits of molecules that exist - typically in small concentrations- in the air.
Those radicals are very reactive and- much like hydrogen peroxide- they randomly react with bits of the virus and tear bits out of it.
In the long run, it doesn't matter. The virus gets torn to bits or too mangled to "work".
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