Thread: Corona Virus

Originally Posted by johntins

Can someone explain to me the importance of 'bacterial hand sanitiser' in combatting a virus?

Not only are alcohol-based hand sanitisers found to be effective at killing many types of bacteria, including MRSA and E coli, they’re also effective against many viruses, including the influenza A virus, rhinovirus, hepatitis A virus, HIV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Destroying viruses

Alcohol attacks and destroys the envelope protein that surrounds some viruses, including coronaviruses. This protein is vital for a virus’s survival and multiplication. But a hand sanitiser needs to be at least 60% alcohol in order to kill most viruses.
Hand sanitisers with less than 60% alcohol were also found to be less effective at killing bacteria and fungi and may only reduce the growth of germs rather than killing them outright.
And even hand sanitisers containing 60% alcohol can’t remove all types of germs. Studies have found that hand washing is more effective than hand sanitisers at removing norovirus,

Yes, I'm told the sanitizer removes the coating and so it dies.

Originally Posted by johntins

Can someone explain to me the importance of 'bacterial hand sanitiser' in combatting a virus?

Some of the bacterial hand sanitisers are also effective against virus, but nobody makes a "virus hand sanitiser". It's really only the Chlorhex ones that are any good and frankly thorough washing is more effective than most of the pretend alcohol sanitisers for this particular threat.

Chlorhex is pretty harsh on the skin with continued use though.

Any hand hygiene is better than nothing though.

Originally Posted by johntins

You didn't answer the question.

corona leaves the lungs open to other infections, such as bacteria.

Originally Posted by Eevo

corona leaves the lungs open to other infections, such as bacteria.

Yes, but that assumes that you have Covid-19. It doesn't explain the prevalence of AB wash everywhere to prevent infection with C-19, which was my question you still haven't answered.

Originally Posted by johntins

Yes, but that assumes that you have Covid-19. It doesn't explain the prevalence of AB wash everywhere to prevent infection with C-19, which was my question you still haven't answered.

your question was narrow minded.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

Not only are alcohol-based hand sanitisers found to be effective at killing many types of bacteria, including MRSA and E coli, they’re also effective against many viruses, including the influenza A virus, rhinovirus, hepatitis A virus, HIV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Destroying viruses

Alcohol attacks and destroys the envelope protein that surrounds some viruses, including coronaviruses. This protein is vital for a virus’s survival and multiplication. But a hand sanitiser needs to be at least 60% alcohol in order to kill most viruses.
Hand sanitisers with less than 60% alcohol were also found to be less effective at killing bacteria and fungi and may only reduce the growth of germs rather than killing them outright.
And even hand sanitisers containing 60% alcohol can’t remove all types of germs. Studies have found that hand washing is more effective than hand sanitisers at removing norovirus,

Great. So we should be showering in alcohol? Works for me.

Originally Posted by johntins

Yes, but that assumes that you have Covid-19. It doesn't explain the prevalence of AB wash everywhere to prevent infection with C-19, which was my question you still haven't answered.

Think of it like training wheels. Supposedly some large proportion of blokes don't even wash their hands after going to the loo (and I've seen it a lot at large events). This might just be a case of "in sight and in mind" and help promote some hand hygiene.

Or it could be a complete waste of time. It probably won't *hurt* though.