Kleenex sells virus-killing tissue

CatoCooper13 · 07-16-2004, 03:39 AM

09:37 AEST Fri Jul 16 2004

AP - First it was everything from dish soap to toothbrushes that promised protection against bacteria. Now the maker of Kleenex plans a tissue that kills viruses.

Kimberly-Clark Corp said that its newest product would be on US store shelves in time for the winter cold and flu season.

The consumer-goods giant has been working on an anti-viral tissue for several years, and company officials believe they've got a winner in Kleenex anti-viral. Their optimism is rooted in the huge success of anti-bacterial products.

"The consumers immediately understand the benefits. It's very intuitive," said Steve Erb, who manages the Kleenex brand.

The tissue serves no direct benefit to the person using it to blow his nose - and who already has a cold or the flu. Kimberly-Clark, it might seem, is counting on consumers' altruism - their desire to spare others from getting sick.

"We're not curing the common cold or the flu," Erb said.

"We're hoping to reduce the amount of the virus that gets spread. Coughs and sneezes contain plenty of yucky stuff."

Kimberly-Clark hopes the tissue will build on the success of anti-bacterial products, which range from soaps and laundry detergents to hand gels and toys used in daycare centres.

Once used only in hospitals and doctors' offices, anti-bacterial soaps are now a multi-billion dollar business, dominating the US market for liquid soaps.

The success of anti-bacterial products has raised some controversy, however. The American Medical Association expressed concern that their widespread use could help spawn strains of resistant bacteria.

An AMA trustee, Dr Ron Davis, said he had the same concern about the anti-viral Kleenex.

"All of the hypothetical benefits have to be balanced against possible harm to public health, which may be the increasing resistance of microorganisms to medications," said Davis, who wanted to see more details about the tissue's effectiveness at killing viruses.

Kimberly-Clark said the new tissue would be in US stores by October.

The Irving, Texas-based company plans a $US30 million ($A41.51 million) promotional blitz in the first year, including television, radio and print advertising and coupons.

The product would be more expensive per sheet than Kleenex's top-line tissues. A cube-shaped box of 60 tissues would cost $US1.39 ($A1.92), and a box of 120 $US1.99 ($A2.75).

©AAP 2004

***VamPyroX*** · 07-16-2004, 05:36 AM

Hmm... this is very interesting! Perhaps, if they started using these tissues during surgery... this would help as well?

Dennis · 07-16-2004, 11:18 AM

Well, if they're not willing to explain HOW they're "killing" viruses, I'm not willing to invest in such a product.

Killing viruses isn't as simple as the methods they use to kill bacteria -- most viruses just aren't as vulnerable to chemicals as bacteria are. If I understand correctly, certain anti-viral measures are harmful to humans because viruses are hardier than bacteria.

GalaxyAngel · 07-16-2004, 11:23 AM

Just paper is paper!

**TweetyBird** · 07-16-2004, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VamPyroX

Hmm... this is very interesting! Perhaps, if they started using these tissues during surgery... this would help as well?

yea u got good point!!!! true!

**Reba** · 07-16-2004, 06:02 PM

Quote:

The success of anti-bacterial products has raised some controversy, however. The American Medical Association expressed concern that their widespread use could help spawn strains of resistant bacteria.

An AMA trustee, Dr Ron Davis, said he had the same concern about the anti-viral Kleenex.

"All of the hypothetical benefits have to be balanced against possible harm to public health, which may be the increasing resistance of microorganisms to medications," said Davis, who wanted to see more details about the tissue's effectiveness at killing viruses.

That's what worries me too. That and too freely prescribing antibiotics for every sniffle. The bacteria and viruses become more resistant, and our immune systems become weaker.

If all people, but especially people who are sick, would practice better hygiene in general, we wouldn't need all these specials soaps and tissues. Just wash hands after using the toilet, before and after preparing food, before eating, before touching eyes, nose or mouth. When sick with a virus, limit physical contact with other people (stay home from school or work, if possible), and contain sneezes and coughs with tissues. Use disposable latex gloves when cleaning anything involving body fluids (such as changing diapers in a day care facility). Don't share eating utensils and drink containers.

Simple and cheap. I think the antibiotic soaps and antiviral tissues are marketing ploys.

Roadrunner · 07-16-2004, 07:09 PM

Hmmm...makes me wonder if one day they'll come up with anti-viral gloves we'll better protect ourselves from the common cold while we're venturing out to places....

(that's besides the latex gloves already in place and being used...)

07-16-2004, 03:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
CatoCooper13 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sonoma County, California Posts: 6,443	Kleenex sells virus-killing tissue 09:37 AEST Fri Jul 16 2004 AP - First it was everything from dish soap to toothbrushes that promised protection against bacteria. Now the maker of Kleenex plans a tissue that kills viruses. Kimberly-Clark Corp said that its newest product would be on US store shelves in time for the winter cold and flu season. The consumer-goods giant has been working on an anti-viral tissue for several years, and company officials believe they've got a winner in Kleenex anti-viral. Their optimism is rooted in the huge success of anti-bacterial products. "The consumers immediately understand the benefits. It's very intuitive," said Steve Erb, who manages the Kleenex brand. The tissue serves no direct benefit to the person using it to blow his nose - and who already has a cold or the flu. Kimberly-Clark, it might seem, is counting on consumers' altruism - their desire to spare others from getting sick. "We're not curing the common cold or the flu," Erb said. "We're hoping to reduce the amount of the virus that gets spread. Coughs and sneezes contain plenty of yucky stuff." Kimberly-Clark hopes the tissue will build on the success of anti-bacterial products, which range from soaps and laundry detergents to hand gels and toys used in daycare centres. Once used only in hospitals and doctors' offices, anti-bacterial soaps are now a multi-billion dollar business, dominating the US market for liquid soaps. The success of anti-bacterial products has raised some controversy, however. The American Medical Association expressed concern that their widespread use could help spawn strains of resistant bacteria. An AMA trustee, Dr Ron Davis, said he had the same concern about the anti-viral Kleenex. "All of the hypothetical benefits have to be balanced against possible harm to public health, which may be the increasing resistance of microorganisms to medications," said Davis, who wanted to see more details about the tissue's effectiveness at killing viruses. Kimberly-Clark said the new tissue would be in US stores by October. The Irving, Texas-based company plans a $US30 million ($A41.51 million) promotional blitz in the first year, including television, radio and print advertising and coupons. The product would be more expensive per sheet than Kleenex's top-line tissues. A cube-shaped box of 60 tissues would cost $US1.39 ($A1.92), and a box of 120 $US1.99 ($A2.75). ©AAP 2004 __________________

07-16-2004, 05:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: 40.18, 58.41 Posts: 34,136	Hmm... this is very interesting! Perhaps, if they started using these tissues during surgery... this would help as well? __________________ Check out my city... C L I C K H E R E! (If you've already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

07-16-2004, 11:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
GalaxyAngel Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Alberta,Canada Posts: 13,626	Just paper is paper! __________________ Parent's proud our children.

07-16-2004, 07:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Roadrunner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NY Posts: 7,089	Hmmm...makes me wonder if one day they'll come up with anti-viral gloves we'll better protect ourselves from the common cold while we're venturing out to places.... (that's besides the latex gloves already in place and being used...) __________________ "Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of pleasures, costs nothing, and conveys much." - Erastus Wiman

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07-16-2004, 11:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
Dennis Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Death Star HQ Posts: 1,858	Well, if they're not willing to explain HOW they're "killing" viruses, I'm not willing to invest in such a product. Killing viruses isn't as simple as the methods they use to kill bacteria -- most viruses just aren't as vulnerable to chemicals as bacteria are. If I understand correctly, certain anti-viral measures are harmful to humans because viruses are hardier than bacteria.