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Washing with soap and water is considered the better way to prevent virus transmission, but alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective if they contain a minimum of 60% alcohol.
According to a recent article published in the February, 2009, issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, "Efficacy of soap and water and alcohol-based hand-rub preparations against live H1N1 influenza virus on the hands of human volunteers," both hand cleaning techniques were effective in killing H1N1 (a strain of flu) virus on deliberately infected health care workers.
A September, 2005, article in Pediatrics, "A randomized, controlled trial of a multifaceted intervention including alcohol-based hand sanitizer and hand-hygiene education to reduce illness transmission in the home," concludes "...alcohol-based hand sanitizers rapidly kill viruses that are commonly associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) infections."
The bottom line is good hand-hygiene helps prevent the spread of both bacteria and viruses. Hand washing with soap and water is slightly more effective than alcohol-based hand sanitizers, but the sanitizers do kill viruses.
Bear in mind some viruses are more difficult to kill than others. Disinfecting hard surfaces with a mild bleach-and-water solution also helps reduce the spread of disease.
Links to both abstracts in Related Links, below.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoNot always. Sometimes it just adds more viruses on. Sanitizer strips your hand of natural oils, and that makes it easier to keep germs ( good and bad) on your hands. It is safer to use soap and water!
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoNo. It does not kill ALL bacteria. Some bacteria is needed in your body so it would be bad to kill all bacteria. Look on a hand sanitizer bottle to see the bacteria it kills.
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How do antivirals kill viruses?
antivirals has lots of chemicals that destroy viruses.
Can you kill viruses?
yes ,u can kill it or repair it by using sandbox from avast
Does acetone kill all bacteria and viruses on contact surfaces?
Looking at several scientific articles show that acetone will kill bacteria on non-living surfaces. As for viruses, they are not alive. But acetone is antiviral and will inhibit viral activity.
What do viruses have?
All viruses have is their membrane, cytoplasm, and their nucleus. These nuclei are different so that they kill other cell's nucleus and replace them and then the virus cells will increase in numbers.
What is the function of white blood cels?
Cells* To kill any viruses and to protect your body.
Can germ-x kill you?
The hand sanitizer, Germ-X, is not going to kill you. It is not recommended that you ingest the hand sanitizer but it is not going to kill you.
Does hand sanitizer kill threadworms?
No
Can anti sickness medicines kill flu viruses and cold?
Yes. They kill flu viruses, sickness and cold so they can protecting you from getting sick.
Why did people make hand sanitizer?
to kill jerms
Does hand sanitizer kill good germs?
yes it does .
What can be used to kill bacteria on your skin?
Hand Sanitizer
How do germs kill you?
It seems they can get you sick but not kill you
Can you kill a plant with hand sanitizer?
Yes you can if it is an alcohol-based sanitizer. They are effective on fungi, too, but do not kill spores.
Is soap stronger than hand sanitizer?
Hand sanitizer is stronger than soap. It is stronger because it contains chemicals that kill pathogens.
Can hand sanitizer make a male sterile?
From what I've heard and from what has been been said recently, there is an ingredient in hand sanitizer that makes males sterile. Hand sanitizer is known to kill bacteria but what is in the sanitizer gets absorbed into the body, which is what causes men to become sterile.
Will hand sanitizer kill the hands?
Klenza is India's first alcohol free hand sanitizer. It uses a silver and water-based foam technology. It is a completely non-toxic hand sanitizer, gentle and safe for kids. Klenza hand sanitizer protects from germs 3 hours after its use.
How do you get high from hand sanitizer?
You have got to be kidding me. Getting high from hand sanitizer is one of the worst ideas. It can literally kill you. Stick to the classic illegal substances.
