Is hand sanitizer really effective against cold/flu germs? If so, why? Looking for scientific reasoning here.?

Question

I've heard that I could possibly be doing more harm than good by using hand sanitizer but in my office we are constantly passing around any little thing that comes along. I'm looking for a little extra help to stay healthy.

Answer 1

You should use hand sanitizer only if u dont have water and soap around you. It is true that it is effective toward germs because of the alcohol amount inside. It could be doing more harm than good because it also kills some of the "good" germs on you. I think the best is to use sparingly at most 3 times a day before meals. But soap and water is always the best way.

Hope that helps

Answer 2

The important thing to remember is to let the sanitizer DRY.
This is because most sanitizers are alcohol-based, and the sanitizer has to dry before the germs are killed.

It is also important to remember that the use of hand sanitizers does not replace soap-and-water hand washing. Time is also essential here. It may sound silly, but sing "Happy Birthday to You" (to yourself!) while washing your hands, and when the song is over, you've washed them long enough and can rinse. It's easier for most people to do this than to remember and count seconds.

If there is a phone that everyone in the office uses, that should be cleaned with an alcohol swab or sanitizer several times a day.

Answer 3

The hands are the most common means of disease transmission therefore by keeping the hands clean, transmission is reduced significantly. It is not just a theory, it is a proven fact. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are effective against cold and flu viruses. There is no plausible evidence that use of an alcohol-based hand cleaner encourages drug-resistance. The mechanism of drug resistance is different from the mechanism by which alcohol kills organisms.

Alcohol-based hand cleaners are not used "sparingly". The cleaner is dispensed in a prescribed amount each time. It is to rubbed into the hands, not just left to dry. Friction plays a part in this. Handwashing is not best. This is evidence-based.

Hand washing is effective when done correctly but it often isn't done correctly. Use warm water, wet hands first, lather thoroughly and between fingers for no less than 15 seconds before rinsing thoroughly. Use paper towels to dry hands and turn off water. Use of an approved hand lotion is recommended to protect skin integrity. Frequent hand washing can damage skin and allow microorganisms entrance. But an alcohol-based hand cleaner can be rubbed into the skin in as little as fifteen seconds without having to dry the hands afterward. It is still recommended that you wash your hands with soap and water when they're visibly soiled.

I follow hospital policy which is guided by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). There's no reason why your workplace cannot do the same. There's also no reason why you can't go to the CDC website and learn more about this.

Answer 4

A good hand sanitizer contains a minimum of 60% alcohol. A 70% alcohol solution is the best. Anything over 70% causes the germs to form spores and to revive later. Unfortunately, some hand sanitizers only contain 40% alcohol and do very little to prevent germs. Hand sanitizers are disputed because the more you do to kill germs the more resistant they become. A good washing with HOT water and soap for 30 seconds or more is the best way to clean one's hands.

Answer 5

I agree it might actually kill cold/flu germs but every time I use it I get really sick. And I've done it time and time again just to make sure. Every time I used it, i would eat something and a hour later I would get a real sore throat and then I'd get sick from it. In the end I got sick 6 times from doing this over and over to make sure it was the hand sanitizer..

Answer 6

hand washing and when you can't find soap and water, those hand sanitizers are excellent in the fight against the spread of disease. The objection to their use isn't to the casual use, it is to those people with little kids who are constantly using anti-bacterial products because (1) not all bacteria is bad; and (2) we build immunity by our exposure to stuff. However, no one wants to be sick, so if you work in an office that is constantly spreading sickness, use a little purel and stop the madness.

Answer 7

Yeah the alcohol kills the germs that cause colds and the flu. Breaks down the cell membranes.

Answer 8

It kills germs on your hands, and may reduce the number of colds you get. However, there is evidence to suggest that wide-spread use of such products (including anti-bacterial soaps, etc.) is leading to resistant germs that are harder to kill.

Answer 9

No. It is not. As Emperor of the Roman Legions, when I see a germ, I slice it with my sword. I am never sick, because I kill all germs in warfare.

Octavius has spoken

Answer 10

the alcohol in the sanitizer works as a powerful killing agent for all bacteria.