Virucidal Efficacy of Soap and Water against Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Genital Secretions

Abstract

A common bar soap and tap water solution was able to demonstrate a 30-fold human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) inactivation and a 57 to 87% reduction in viable peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a mixture of cervicovaginal lavage fluid and seminal fluid. These observations indicate that soap and water might be used to inactivate HIV and HIV-infected cells in genital secretions.