TY - JOUR AU - Levy, Stuart T1 - Antibacterial Household Products: Cause for Concern T2 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal PY - 2001 VL - 7 IS - 7 SP - 512 SN - 1080-6059 AB - The recent entry of products containing antibacterial agents into healthy households has escalated from a few dozen products in the mid-1990s to more than 700 today. Antibacterial products were developed and have been successfully used to prevent transmission of disease-causing microorganisms among patients, particularly in hospitals. They are now being added to products used in healthy households, even though an added health benefit has not been demonstrated. Scientists are concerned that the antibacterial agents will select bacteria resistant to them and cross-resistant to antibiotics. Moreover, if they alter a person's microflora, they may negatively affect the normal maturation of the T helper cell response of the immune system to commensal flora antigens; this change could lead to a greater chance of allergies in children. As with antibiotics, prudent use of these products is urged. Their designated purpose is to protect vulnerable patients. KW - ICEID 2000 KW - Emerging Infectious Diseases conference KW - United States DO - 10.3201/eid0707.017705 UR - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/7/7/01-7705_article ER - End of Reference