ASTM E1838-17

1.1 Human skin is not known to carry viruses as a part of its resident microbiota, with the notable exception of papilloma viruses (10). Hands transiently contaminated with viruses can, however, act as vehicles for the spread of many types of viral infections. Hand hygiene is meant to reduce the load of viruses and other transient microorganisms on hands, thereby reducing the risk of disease transmission. Such reductions in the virus load may be due to a combination of virus inactivation and mechanical removal of infectious virus from the skin.