Do Hand Sanitizers Kill 99.9% of Germs?

As the outbreak of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 spread in early 2020, hand sanitizers purchases began to rise. According to health officials worldwide, people should avoid touching their faces and wipe their hands after touching public surfaces such as door handles and handrails. The claim that it “Kills 99.9% of Germs” and other similar claims made in marketing, many common disinfectants can be deceptive and perhaps harmful if it is the major reason you are picking a product.

How Does Hand Sanitizer Work?

Hand sanitizers containing alcohol destroy germs by breaking down the membranes of bacteria and various viruses. Although not all viruses have exterior membranes — alcohol-based hand sanitizers, for example, do not kill norovirus, the virus that causes diarrhea on cruise liners — coronavirus does. Coincidentally, this implies it can be killed by alcohol and alcohol-based products.

The Irony of Killing 99.9% Germs

Assuming you’re concerned about the flu virus and want to apply a disinfectant that will work against all types and strains of influenza this year. If a disinfectant claims to destroy 99.9% of germs, it should also kill 99.9% of flu germs on any surface. And, if eradicating 99.9% of germs is wonderful, surely a product that claims to destroy 99.9% percent of germs must be even better? WRONG. In both cases.

Some of the most popular disinfectants on the market in the United States are only effective against a few microorganisms. Many of these items include marketing promises that claim they “destroy 99.9% of germs.” However, the list of germs it kills is printed in a very small format on the container, and this list of germs may or may not include any or all of the Influenza viruses.

The Truth of 99.9%

When a marketing promise is made that something “kills 99.9% of germs,” it may or may not kill the same bacterium or pathogen you’re looking for. Disinfectants are required by law to indicate the microorganisms on which they have been tested and proven effective and the proper dilution and usage instructions. Always read the label for the pathogens from which you want protection.

Is Hand Sanitizers Effective at Killing Germs at all?

Although prominent hand sanitizer brands claim to destroy 99.9% of germs, there was a heated discussion in public health circles until recently about whether hand sanitizer was even effective at battling disease-causing bacteria in the first place. In 2016, the FDA demanded that hand sanitizer manufacturers demonstrate that their products eliminate bacteria as promised and are safe to use over time, with some evidence showing that antiseptic chemicals remained in users’ blood and urine for longer than previously assumed.

Overall, experts agree that hand sanitizers are harmless and effective against specific bacteria. Hand sanitizers are useful in bug-fighting kits because they are simple to use when soap and water are not accessible. COVID-19, a membrane-enclosed member of the coronavirus family, is one of the microbes it is expected to be successful against.

What Importance Does Hand Sanitizers Hold for Health Care Workers?

The clinician can act as an intermediate, passing germ from one patient to the next with daily interactions. Anything that promotes the clinician’s observance of infection prevention and control procedures is beneficial.

Handwashing is often inconvenient when you are not near soap and water. Therefore compliance has always been a challenge. Hand sanitizers were introduced to greatly enhance hand hygiene because they were effective to some level and easier and more convenient than handwashing. In terms of preventing germ transmission, it was beneficial. It’s frequently touted as an example of a better infection-control approach that has been a huge success on all fronts.

So, can you use hand sanitizing gels instead of soap and water? Certainly not! There is no replacement for washing hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer can help lower the number of bacteria on your hands, but only when used as advised on the container in ideal conditions. Sanitizer should only be used after frequent hand washing or if there are no safe hand washing options available, according to Safe Hands HHC and their health care workers.

For More Assistance Visit: https://safehandshhc.com/