By admin 
- Hand sanitizer does not work against all pathogens.
- The product is not as effective as proper hand washing.
- There are other ways to lower your risk of getting sick this season.
Hand sanitizer has been seen for years as a valuable aid in hygiene and disease protection. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have increased their use of hand sanitizers research It turned out that children used it up to 25 times a day and adults more than nine times a day.
But despite the health halo surrounding hand sanitizer, infectious disease doctors say it’s not the best tool you can use to keep your hands clean. Hand sanitizer doesn’t even work against some major disease-causing viruses, parasites, and bacteria.
Meet the experts: Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York, William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, an expert in infectious diseases Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.
Here’s what you need to know about common viruses and bacteria that hand sanitizers aren’t effective against, and what you can do to protect yourself instead.
Common hand sanitizers for germs are not fatal
In general, doctors agree that hand sanitizers are a useful tool to protect against illness. “Hand sanitizers contain chemicals that inactivate many viruses and are extremely convenient to use,” says an infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “They work well at inactivating flu and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).”
That said, they aren’t perfect. “Hand sanitizers should not be used if your hands are heavily contaminated,” says Thomas Russo, MD, professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in New York. This means that if your hands are covered in dirt and mud, it’s best to hit the sink.
Hand sanitizers are also ineffective against certain germs. “Hand sanitizers contain alcohol, and alcohol is a chemical that attacks the surfaces and outer coverings of many viruses, thereby killing the virus,” says William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “But they work less well against certain bacteria and other pathogens.”
These are the top germs that hand sanitizer doesn’t kill:
Norovirus
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea – and sometimes both at the same time Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“It is believed that alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not work well against norovirus, a virus that is highly resistant due to its structural characteristics,” says Dr. Adalja. However, according to the CDC, these steps can help lower your risk of getting norovirus:
- Wash your hands well (and often)
- Cook shellfish thoroughly
- Wash fruits and vegetables well
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes a condition called cryptosporidiosis. This leads to watery diarrhea, according to the CDC. Cryptosporidium can live in water, food, soil or on infected surfaces, but unfortunately alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not effective against these parasites, says Dr. Russo.
The best way to reduce your risk of cryptosporidium, according to the CDC, is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that can cause symptoms such as diarrhea and intestinal inflammation, according to the BBC US National Library of Medicine. This is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitals and long-term care facilities. Although anyone can get clostridium difficile, risk factors include being 65 years or older, having a weakened immune system, and having recently been in a hospital or nursing home.
Clostridium difficile is not killed by hand sanitizer, but washing your hands well with soap and water after using the toilet and before eating is helpful in lowering your risk, according to the CDC.
Soap and water are still best
Having soap and water on hand is your best choice for hand hygiene, says Dr. Schaffner. “You should wash your hands thoroughly, though,” says Dr. Russo.
This is the correct way to wash your hands, according to the CDC:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water.
- Apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap, focusing on the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands well under clean running water.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel.
How to properly use hand sanitizer
If you’re on the go or away from soap and water, doctors say hand sanitizer is a helpful option. It’s important to use products that contain 60% alcohol, says Dr. Russo.
To use hand sanitizer properly, the CDC recommends applying it to the palm of one hand and rubbing the liquid over the surfaces of your hands until they are dry.
How else can you protect yourself from viruses this winter?
Respiratory viruses are the biggest reason why people get sick in the winter, Dr. Russo says. “You can become infected through fomites (infected surfaces). Hand hygiene is important, but the biggest mode of transmission of respiratory viruses is droplets,” he says. “Ultimately, hand hygiene does not protect you if someone is contagious and there are droplets in the air.”
Instead, Dr. Schaffner recommends getting vaccinated against the major respiratory viruses that may be circulating this season.the fluCOVID-19 and RSV (if you are an older adult). “We are not benefiting to the extent that we should be benefiting from these vaccines,” he said.
Wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces can also help protect against respiratory viruses, says Dr. Russo. “If you’re between wearing hand sanitizer, washing your hands and wearing a mask, the mask wins,” he says.
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