Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => COVID-19 => Topic started by: EvaH on 16/11/2020 14:37:35

Title: Could the disinfectant Virkon help on COVID wards?
Post by: EvaH on 16/11/2020 14:37:35
Robert says:

I used to be a pig farmer. We experimented with a virucidal disinfectant called Virkon.We fogged it over the pigs to help with virus pneumonia. It did not work. However, we found that none of us got a cold during our trials (we invariably inhaled some of the disinfectant). When covid arrived I bought a fogging machine and some of the hospital grade Virkon. I sat in a room for 30 mins inhaling the mist and did not appear to suffer any side effects. I recently woke up with a cold (running nose and sneezing). I inhaled from the pot of Virkon and within an hour the cold symptoms had gone. Coincidence? If a covid ward was occasionally fogged, would it reduce cross infection and would it help patients who are infected?


What do you think?
Title: Re: Could the disinfectant Virkon help on COVID wards?
Post by: chris on 18/11/2020 17:10:34
I've used Virkon in the lab to disinfect the virus cat 2 cabinets during my PhD; it's a good surface cleaner but I'd definitely steer clear of inhaling it!
Title: Re: Could the disinfectant Virkon help on COVID wards?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 18/11/2020 20:04:39
Symptoms are often a good sign as I have been led to believe. Corona patients who do not exhibit a immune response exhibit no symptoms, get poorly and serious conditions follow.

https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=75572.msg563896#msg563896
Title: Re: Could the disinfectant Virkon help on COVID wards?
Post by: Bored chemist on 19/11/2020 10:50:03
Symptoms are often a good sign
No they are not.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161858

Corona patients who do not exhibit a immune response exhibit no symptoms, get poorly and serious conditions follow.
Getting poorly would involve having symptoms- such as pain inthe chest, feeling short of breath etc.
The pattern of signs and symptoms in someone with no immune response would be different.
Specifically, it would be very rapid progress to death.

In any event, inhaling virkon is almost certainly a bad idea.
Title: Re: Could the disinfectant Virkon help on COVID wards?
Post by: alancalverd on 19/11/2020 11:37:51
We fogged it over the pigs to help with virus pneumonia. It did not work.

From Chris:
Quote
it's a good surface cleaner but I'd definitely steer clear of inhaling it!

I think that pretty well answers the question!