Should I buy antibacterial soap?

Explain It to Me

Vox Media Podcast Network

Education, Politics, News, Society & Culture

4.4 • 7.9K Ratings

🗓️ 8 January 2025

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

When it gets cold outside, we get colds inside. We also get the flu. And RSV. And — lately — norovirus. We all know that washing our hands helps defend against illness. But with what? There’s too many kinds of soap, and not all of them will keep you healthy in every situation. Should you up the ante with antibacterial or does bar soap set the bar? This week on Explain It to Me, host Jonquilyn Hill breaks down the suds and bubbles with Vox senior reporter Keren Landman, MD. Read more: Wait, should I bother using antibacterial soap? You’ve never heard of the Covid booster with the fewest side effects Put down that cough medicine We want to answer your questions in future episodes. Call us at 1-800-618-8545, fill out this form, or send us an email at [email protected]. We love to hear from you. Credits: Jonquilyn Hill, host Sofi LaLonde, producer Andrea Kristinsdottir, engineer Caitlin PenzeyMoog, fact-checker Carla Javier, supervising producer Jorge Just, editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	With an Intel AI PC, AI assistance helps you save time.
0:06.0	With AI-powered text-to-image tools, you can unleash your creativity with fewer clicks,
0:12.0	or let AI draft your emails.
0:16.0	It's possible on an Intel AI PC.
0:20.0	Additional purchase may be required.
0:21.6	Learn more at Intel.co.uk slash AIPC.
0:26.6	With an Intel AIPC, AI assistance helps you save time.
0:35.6	With AI powered text to image tools, you can unleash your creativity with fewer clicks,
0:42.3	or let AI draft your emails.
0:46.3	It's possible on an Intel AIPC.
0:50.3	Additional purchase may be required.
0:52.3	Learn more at intel.co.uk slash aipc.
1:00.3	Hey, it's John Glynn. Happy 2025. We're so glad to be back with some fresh episodes for you.
1:08.3	Before we jump in, one request. Call us. It's a brand new year,
1:13.5	full of new challenges and questions and curiosities. So tell us what it is you want to know.
1:20.2	Call with your questions into 1-800-61845 or send a voice memo to AskVox at Vox.com. Thanks again.
1:30.0	It's such a funny construct to imagine a soap that is friendly to bacteria and viruses.
1:36.2	I love that so much.
1:40.1	Hey there, I'm John Glyn Hill. This is Explain It to Me, your go-to hotline for all your unanswered questions.
1:48.1	The New Year's just begun, but some things never change, like germs and all that they bring.
1:55.1	Norovirus, colds, COVID, flu.
1:59.2	And yeah, there's always lots of talk about new ways of fighting these diseases,
	...

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