Is hand sanitizer as effective as handwashing?

Answer 1

The concern over all types of Infectious Diseases had spurred much interest in hand sanitizers. The H1N1 flu epidemic had a major effect on attitudes toward hand hygiene. As a result, hand sanitizers are given away at health fairs and are also seen in large containers for public use. Walk into a restaurant and you will observe hand sanitizer. Before going into a hospital room you might notice hand sanitizer just outside of the door. People now carry hand sanitizer in their automobiles, gym bags and purses. As a result the hand sanitizer industry is a booming business. The question is, are hand sanitizers as effective as soap and water in killing infectious pathogens?

Hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious disease. When soap and water are available hand washing should be the choice for cleaning and removing pathogens from the hands. The friction of rubbing the hands helps loosen dirt and germs and using running water to rinse the hands removes germs from them. However when soap and water are not options, hand sanitizer can reduce pathogens to a safe level that will prevent the spread of infection. Alcohol based sanitizers have been found very effective in killing germs on the hands. Hand sanitizing gels should be at least 60 percent alcohol to be effective. The Centers for Disease Control recommend placing the hand sanitizer in one palm and rubbing it over all surfaces of the hands until it is dry.

Anytime the hands are contaminated hand washing or using a hand sanitizer is necessarily. Hands can become contaminated after touching raw meat, using the restroom, and after touching pets, livestock or other animals. Additionally hands should always be washed after sneezing, coughing or blowing one’s nose. Child care providers should also practice good hand hygiene; and make sure that soap and water or hand sanitizer is available for children to keep their hands clean whether in the classroom or on the playground.

The bottom line is, whether soap and water or hand sanitizer is used, it is refreshing to see individuals taking responsibility for preventing the spread of infectious diseases.