On a dual booted mac, can i format only the windows side while not affecting the mac side?

I know a windows virus wont affect the mac side since they aren't written in the same internal language so to speak. but if i get one on my windows side, can i just format the windows side only and get rid of it (without wiping the mac side). Will the virus be able to save itself into the mac osx and stay dormant until i reinstall windows and replace itself back in? i want to be sure that a virus on the windows side is easily removable with format and wont affect mac side at all. Thanks ahead of time!