First, can disinfectants destroy viruses, and if they can't, why do they try to disinfect surfaces to get rid of SARS? And second, if SARS is a tiny virus, does it really work to have a mask? Can't the virus pass through the fibers?

kerry8888

Because so little is known about SARS, I suspect the disinfecting is a precaution against SARS and any other bacteria that might be hovering. Disinfectants don't kill viruses anyway - they only have an effect on bacteria. That's why we take antibiotics for bacterial infections and not for viral infections. Viruses run their own course and can only be treated symptomatically - we try to lower fevers, reduce congestion, etc. - but we can't actually kill the virus. The mask thing is also a precaution because it is suspected that SARS is carried in airborne particles through sneezing, coughing, etc. So if you wear a mask you are less likely to inhale particles carried on spittle and the like. Sat May 10 00:26:51 CDT 2003 (Reposted to fix typo, etc. - McG) May 16 03, 10:24 PM