Hand Washing with 4% CHG Antiseptic Kills Flu Viruses

Study shows 4% CHG antiseptic is effective against a strain of H1N1 Swine Flu

NORCROSS, Ga., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Hand washing with a 4% chlorhexidine
gluconate (CHG) antiseptic hand washing product is one effective way to stop
the spread of the H1N1 Swine Flu Virus.

Hibiclens Antiseptic/Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser and Hibistat Healthcare
Personnel Hand Antiseptic Towelettes have been tested and found to be
effective against a variation of the A H1N1 Swine Flu Virus, when used
according to package instructions. The strain tested was Swine Flu Influenza
A H1N1 A/Swine/Iowa/15/3.

The time-kill study, conducted by an independent laboratory showed that
Hibiclens(R), a 4% CHG product, reduced the virus by 99.94 percent after 30
second, 60 second, and three minute exposures. Hibistat(R), a 0.5% CHG and
70% isopropyl alcohol formulation, reduced the virus by 99.99 percent after 15
second, 30 second and 60 second exposures. Both Hibiclens and Hibistat were
more effective than soap and water which was used as a comparator test
product.

"With any type of influenza outbreak, managing the spread of virus is the
biggest concern," said Carolyn Twomey, RN, Global Head of Clinical Services,
Molnlycke Health Care. "Influenza viruses usually spread via sneezing and
coughing and contaminating one's hand or hands, and then touching surfaces,
shaking hands or other contact behaviors. With any influenza outbreak, good
hand hygiene is extremely important. With the current strains of flu virus,
this study shows that washing with Hibiclens or using Hibistat Hand Wipes
provides additional benefit in preventing transmission."

"Use of Molnlycke Health Care's Hibiclens and Hibistat
antimicrobial/antiseptic products, along with the company's line of surgical
facemasks and respirators, can be an integral part of a protocol to reduce the
risk of cross-contamination," Twomey said.

Hibiclens is an antimicrobial/antiseptic cleanser that kills germs on contact
and bonds with the skin to keep killing microorganisms for up to six hours
without leaving a residue. The same cleanser combined with alcohol is
available in convenient Hibistat(R) towelettes. Both are available at drug
stores and pharmacies in the first aid section. For more information about
Hibiclens, Hibistat or CHG, visit www.hibigeebies.com.

About Molnlycke Health Care US, LLC
Molnlycke Health Care US, LLC, consists of two divisions - Surgical and Wound
Care. Focusing on prevention of surgically-related infections for both
patients and healthcare workers, the Surgical Division (formerly Regent
Medical Americas, LLC) encompasses the world's leading manufacturer and
supplier of powder-free surgical gloves (Biogel(R) surgical gloves); the
number one supplier (by value) of skin cleanser (Hibiclens(R) and Hibistat(R)
antiseptics); and BARRIER(R) protective clothing. A leader in trauma and pain
management, the Wound Care Division's market dynamics are driven by an aging
population, higher incidence of pressure ulcers and increased home treatment.

SOURCE Molnlycke Health Care

Shelly Spoeth or Juliann Kaiser, sspoeth@kaisermarketinggroup.com, or
jkaiser@kaisermarketinggroup.com, +1-770-643-0615, both for Molnlycke Health
Care