Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: HealthTeacher on 09/09/2016 16:37:38

Title: Can ear wax kill viruses?
Post by: HealthTeacher on 09/09/2016 16:37:38

I have another Virus related question for you guys!!  Does ear wax "kill" viruses....Ex. HIV?  I have heard that ear wax has antimicrobial properties and a more acidic PH, but will it accelerate the demise of viruses.  Ex. HIV
Thanks for the knowledge!!

[MOD EDIT / FRIENDLY REQUEST - Can you please follow the instructions in the sign-up policy  and in the title bar and PLEASE PHRASE YOUR THREAD TITLES AS QUESTIONS, as per the forum policy. Thanks.]

Title: Re: EAR WAX
Post by: syhprum on 09/09/2016 17:56:24

I can but be puzzled as to how ear wax and HI viruses get together

Title: Re: EAR WAX
Post by: Colin2B on 09/09/2016 22:40:18

Quote from: syhprum on 09/09/2016 17:56:24

I can but be puzzled as to how ear wax and HI viruses get together

I suspect you may lack imagination. I certainly do!

Title: Re: Can ear wax kill viruses?
Post by: HealthTeacher on 10/09/2016 00:52:08

Lol.....It came from being asked if Hiv can be found in earwax!!!

Title: Re: Can ear wax kill viruses?
Post by: evan_au on 10/09/2016 02:40:30

Earwax (slowly) carries dirt and pathogens out of the ear canal, so it would (eventually) carry out any viruses too.

But a better protection against viruses is that the outer layers of our skin cells are dead, so a virus can't hijack their cellular machinery to produce more viruses. But the ear canal won't have as many layers of dead cells as our hands and feet.

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermis#Layers

Title: Re: Can ear wax kill viruses?
Post by: HealthTeacher on 12/09/2016 13:55:31

Is earwax a body"fluid/substance" it can be found in?  (Like saliva, sweat, blood)

Title: Re: Can ear wax kill viruses?
Post by: exothermic on 12/09/2016 14:33:48

Quote from: HealthTeacher on 12/09/2016 13:55:31

Is earwax a body"fluid/substance" it can be found in?  (Like saliva, sweat, blood)

No....


Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2015 Apr;34(4):789-93. doi: 10.1007/s10096-014-2292-7. Epub 2014 Dec 6.
Does cerumen have a risk for transmission of HIV?
Hanege FM1, Kalcioglu MT, Sargin F, Cetinkaya Z, Tekin M, Vahaboglu H.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is mainly transmitted via sexual activity, mother-to-child transmission, and contact with body fluids, such as saliva and semen. Cerumen, however, has not been investigated for its capability to transmit HIV. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of cerumen for transmission of HIV infection. This study was conducted among 42 treatment-naive HIV-infected patients with positive HIV RNA and 27 HIV-infected patients with negative HIV RNA receiving antiviral treatment. Simultaneous blood samples were studied as positive controls. Sixty-nine prospectively collected cerumen specimens were analyzed for the presence of HIV RNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). None of the 69 cerumen specimens were positive for HIV RNA. These results conclude that cerumen in HIV-positive patients with or without antiretroviral therapy (ART) carry only an insignificant risk of transmission. However, standard infection control precautions should be applied carefully in all examinations and surgical operations of the ears.

PMID: 25480431