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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- MayoClinic.com: Common Cold
- "American Society for Microbiology"; Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizers with and without Organic Acids for Removal of Rhinovirus from Hands; Ronald B. Turner, Janice L. Fuls, and Nancy D. Rodgers; Jan. 2010
- "American Society for Microbiology"; Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizers with and without Organic Acids for Removal of Rhinovirus from Hands; Ronald B. Turner, Janice L. Fuls, and Nancy D. Rodgers; Jan. 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
- CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: H1N1 Flu
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Hand Sanitizers and Viruses
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using hand sanitizer to prevent the spread of viruses when soap and water are not available 4. However, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be just as effective or more effective than regular hand washing for killing certain viruses. The CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer with at least a 60 percent alcohol content.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Method
The CDC recommends using alcohol-based hand sanitizer both before and after preparing and eating food, tending to someone who is ill, and treating a wound. Frequently use hand sanitizer during the contagious period of any illness. Apply enough hand sanitizer to wet both hands and then rub your hands together for 20 seconds or until the hand sanitizer dries.
- The CDC recommends using alcohol-based hand sanitizer both before and after preparing and eating food, tending to someone who is ill, and treating a wound.
- Apply enough hand sanitizer to wet both hands and then rub your hands together for 20 seconds or until the hand sanitizer dries.
Common Cold
10 Common Communicable Diseases
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Ethanol-based hand sanitizer can kill the most common cause of the common cold--rhinovirus. Rhinovirus, which is highly contagious, spreads from droplets in the air and from hand-to-hand contact through objects and people. Symptoms of the common cold typically last a week and include:
- runny nose
- sore throat
- cough congestion
- sneezing
- body aches
- fatigue
- a low-grade fever
- according to MayoClinic.com 1
A 2009 study by the Department of Pediatrics at University of Virginia School of Medicine found ethanol-based hand sanitizer more effective than soap and water for killing rhinovirus. The hand sanitizer removed detectable virus from at least 80 percent of hands in the study.
- Ethanol-based hand sanitizer can kill the most common cause of the common cold--rhinovirus.
- Symptoms of the common cold typically last a week and include: * runny nose
* sore throat
* cough congestion
* sneezing
* body aches
* fatigue
* a low-grade fever
* according to MayoClinic.com 1 A 2009 study by the Department of Pediatrics at University of Virginia School of Medicine found ethanol-based hand sanitizer more effective than soap and water for killing rhinovirus.
Stomach Flu
Norovirus and rotavirus, the two strains of what's commonly called the stomach flu, can be killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizer, explains MayoClinic.com internist Dr. James M. Steckelberg 13. Watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever are common stomach flu symptoms. With norovirus, you are contagious from the moment you feel ill until at least 3 days after you've recovered. You're contagious with rotavirus before you develop symptoms and you stay contagious for two weeks after you've recovered.
- Norovirus and rotavirus, the two strains of what's commonly called the stomach flu, can be killed by alcohol-based hand sanitizer, explains MayoClinic.com internist Dr. James M. Steckelberg 1.
- With norovirus, you are contagious from the moment you feel ill until at least 3 days after you've recovered.
Swine Flu
Common Human Viruses List
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When soap and water are not available, the CDC recommends alcohol-based hand sanitizer to help prevent the spread of the "swine flu," also known as the H1N1 virus. The virus is contagious from 1 day before symptoms occur through 5 to 7 days after getting sick
Bird Flu
The bird flu, also known as the avian influenza virus, is rare, but very dangerous in humans. More than half of people who become infected with the virus will die, according to MayoClinic.com 1. Bird flu symptoms mirror the conventional flu and include cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fever. Humans become infected with bird flu through contact with an infected bird's feces or secretions. The Department of Veterinary Population Medicine at the University of Minnesota concluded that alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills the virus with one application on the hands.
- The bird flu, also known as the avian influenza virus, is rare, but very dangerous in humans.
- The Department of Veterinary Population Medicine at the University of Minnesota concluded that alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills the virus with one application on the hands.
Related Articles
References
- MayoClinic.com: Common Cold
- "American Society for Microbiology"; Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizers with and without Organic Acids for Removal of Rhinovirus from Hands; Ronald B. Turner, Janice L. Fuls, and Nancy D. Rodgers; Jan. 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
- CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: H1N1 Flu
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Statement for Healthcare Personnel on Hand Hygiene during the Response to the International Emergence of COVID-19. Updated March 14, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chemical disinfectants. Updated September 18, 2016.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When and How to Wash Your Hands. Updated October 3, 2019.
- Vermeil T, Peters A, Kilpatrick C, Pires D, Allegranzi B, Pittet D. Hand hygiene in hospitals: anatomy of a revolution. J Hosp Infect. 2019;101(4):383-392. doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2018.09.003
- McEgan R, Danyluk MD. Evaluation of aqueous and alcohol-based quaternary ammonium sanitizers for inactivating Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes on peanut and pistachio shells. Food Microbiol. 2015;47:93-98. doi:10.1016/j.fm.2014.11.010
- Inaida S, Shobugawa Y, Matsuno S, Saito R, Suzuki H. Delayed norovirus epidemic in the 2009-2010 season in Japan: potential relationship with intensive hand sanitizer use for pandemic influenza. Epidemiol Infect. 2016;144(12):2561-2567. doi:10.1017/S0950268816000984
- Stebbins S, Cummings DA, Stark JH, et al. Reduction in the incidence of influenza A but not influenza B associated with use of hand sanitizer and cough hygiene in schools: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2011;30(11):921-926. doi:10.1097/INF.0b013e3182218656
- Azor-Martinez E, Yui-Hifume R, Muñoz-Vico FJ, et al. Effectiveness of a hand hygiene program at child care centers: A cluster randomized trial. Pediatrics. 2018;142(5):e20181245. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-1245
- Blaney DD, Daly ER, Kirkland KB, Tongren JE, Kelso PT, Talbot EA. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers as a risk factor for norovirus outbreaks in long-term care facilities in northern New England: December 2006 to March 2007. Am J Infect Control. 2011;39(4):296-301. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2010.10.010
- Wilson AM, Reynolds KA, Jaykus LA, Escudero-Abarca B, Gerba CP. Comparison of estimated norovirus infection risk reductions for a single fomite contact scenario with residual and nonresidual hand sanitizers. Am J Infect Control. 2019;S0196-6553(19)30846-6. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2019.09.010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Handwashing: Clean hands save lives. Updated January 14, 2020.
Writer Bio
Ivy Morris specializes in health, fitness, beauty, fashion and music. Her work has appeared in "Sacramento News and Review," "Prosper Magazine" and "Sacramento Parent Magazine," among other publications. Morris also writes for medical offices and legal practices. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in government-journalism from Sacramento State University.