HuffPost: Does the type of soap or hand sanitizer you use matter for coronavirus?

UC expert provides information for warding off COVID-19

Dr. Carl Fichtenbaum of UC's Division of Infectious Diseases was interviewed by the Huffington Post about how coronavirus is spread for a story about proper hand sanitation.

A doctor using test tubes in a medical laboratory

Dr. Carl Fichtenbaum working in a lab in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UC's College of Medicine.

According to medical experts, thorough hand washing is one of the key methods of warding off COVID-19. Dr. Fichtenbaum discussed how the virus is spread and said the type of soap or sanitizer used isn't as important as proper hand washing. 

“There is no clear evidence that antibacterial soap works better than any other soap,” Fichtenbaum told HuffPost. “The most important thing is washing hands for at least 20 seconds, and then it is a combination of soap plus mechanical disruption that works [to rid hands of the virus].”

Read the entire story here. 

Find the latest details related to coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, and follow UC's latest information with regard to the virus.

Related Stories

1

Cincinnati Stride event to help young people who stutter build confidence

November 12, 2026

For children who stutter, speaking can sometimes be frustrating, anxiety-inducing and a source of low confidence. The University of Cincinnati is a host of Cincinnati Stride, formerly Fluency Friday, which gives kids a chance to connect with others who understand what they're going through. Event organizers recently appeared on both WLWT-TV and WKRC-TV to raise awareness ahead of the free workshop.

3

UC professor warns against rising nicotine pouch use

November 10, 2026

Ashley Merianos, PhD, professor in the UC School of Human Services, spoke with Local 12 News in Cincinnati about her latest research showing a sharp increase in nicotine pouch use among adult tobacco users from 2021 to 2024.