Hand sanitizer

[rlvaughn]

First, what are germs, bacteria, and viruses? Germ is a sort of catch-all word for some sort of microorganism which (usually) causes disease. Bacterium and virus are more specific terms, which I will not try to define beyond saying that viruses are not bacteria and bacteria are not viruses.

Most hand sanitizers advertise that they kill or reduce germs and bacteria. Under “Uses” in the facts on the back of the bottles (I have checked 6 different brands), most of them say either “reduces” or “decreases” bacteria on the skin. Not one that I have checked so far claims to kill or even reduce viruses.

Have we been hoodwinked? I am not sure anyone is directly saying that hand sanitizer kills or reduces viruses. Surely, the use in cleaning the hands is helpful. However, I think many, if not most, people may have inadvertently picked up the idea that hand sanitizer kills viruses.

Thoughts?

 

[Gold Dragon]

If it is an alcohol based hand sanitizer with a high enough concentration of alcohol (> 60%) it will destroy both viruses and bacteria.

Viruses are genetic material (DNA or RNA) wrapped in proteins (which work as a folded 3D structure). The alcohol essentially unfolds the proteins, destroying the virus.

 

[rlvaughn]

If it is an alcohol based hand sanitizer with a high enough concentration of alcohol (> 60%) it will destroy both viruses and bacteria.

Thanks. Any idea why they do not advertise it as such (i.e., will destroy viruses)? (All these bottles I have examined are 60+, most around 70.)

 

[Deacon]

A “germ“ is really a vary general term that covers any microorganism, bacteria or virus.

Recently introduced sanitizers capitalize on this misunderstanding by using the word ‘virus’ but the product is generally the same, it an updated marketing technique.



Rob

 

[Gold Dragon]

Like Deacon, I was going to say marketing.

 

[rlvaughn]

Recently introduced sanitizers capitalize on this misunderstanding by using the word ‘virus’ but the product is generally the same, it an updated marketing technique.

I have yet to see any that use the word virus anywhere on the labeling. I'll be on the lookout.

Like Deacon, I was going to say marketing.

From the standpoint of marketing, I don't understand why they would not list something like "kills or reduces viruses" if they do.

 

[canadyjd]

If it is an alcohol based hand sanitizer with a high enough concentration of alcohol (> 60%) it will destroy both viruses and bacteria.

Viruses are genetic material (DNA or RNA) wrapped in proteins (which work as a folded 3D structure). The alcohol essentially unfolds the proteins, destroying the virus.

I generally like science based answers. I’m kinda geeking out. Didn’t know that’s why it kills viruses.

The germs normally don’t penetrate the skin. You need a break (cut or sore) or access through mucus membrane around eyes or nose. That’s why we are told not to touch our face, which we do dozens or hundreds of times a day unconsciously.

The mouth has better protection because of saliva. Stomach acid will kill just about anything.

Thanks for the info

peace to you

 

[Jerome]

It is due to strict FDA labeling regulations.
Claims have to be backed by rigorous studies (these products were tested for their effect on highly resistant common bacteria strains, hence can be labeled for use to help reduce bacteria on the skin).
Theoretically, they should work on microbes that are less resistant (such as viruses), but are not allowed to be labeled for such use because the rigorous studies have not been conducted.

 

[rlvaughn]

Thanks for the helpful responses.

 

[JonC]

I generally like science based answers. I’m kinda geeking out. Didn’t know that’s why it kills viruses.

The germs normally don’t penetrate the skin. You need a break (cut or sore) or access through mucus membrane around eyes or nose. That’s why we are told not to touch our face, which we do dozens or hundreds of times a day unconsciously.

The mouth has better protection because of saliva. Stomach acid will kill just about anything.

Thanks for the info

peace to you

Stomach acid does not kill bad fish. Trust me, it doesn't. Bad fish tries to kill you.

 

[Reynolds]

First, what are germs, bacteria, and viruses? Germ is a sort of catch-all word for some sort of microorganism which (usually) causes disease. Bacterium and virus are more specific terms, which I will not try to define beyond saying that viruses are not bacteria and bacteria are not viruses.

Most hand sanitizers advertise that they kill or reduce germs and bacteria. Under “Uses” in the facts on the back of the bottles (I have checked 6 different brands), most of them say either “reduces” or “decreases” bacteria on the skin. Not one that I have checked so far claims to kill or even reduce viruses.

Have we been hoodwinked? I am not sure anyone is directly saying that hand sanitizer kills or reduces viruses. Surely, the use in cleaning the hands is helpful. However, I think many, if not most, people may have inadvertently picked up the idea that hand sanitizer kills viruses.

Thoughts?

I guess because 70% alcohol kills viruses.

 

[canadyjd]

Stomach acid does not kill bad fish. Trust me, it doesn't. Bad fish tries to kill you.

Been there, done that. Not very pleasant. I also ate some undercooked chicken about 30 years ago. There are times when I think I can still taste the v&mit in my mouth. Very nasty. Sick for several days.

My wife still asks, almost every time, when we pass the restaurant (it has changed hands several times) if I want to stop for chicken. Kinda mean I say.

peace to you

 

[JonC]

Been there, done that. Not very pleasant. I also ate some undercooked chicken about 30 years ago. There are times when I think I can still taste the v&mit in my mouth. Very nasty. Sick for several days.

My wife still asks, almost every time, when we pass the restaurant (it has changed hands several times) if I want to stop for chicken. Kinda mean I say.

peace to you

I spent a week in a tent in Bosnia with salmonella. Ah... Those were the days

 

[Deacon]

Nurses Appreciation Week at the hospital,

...and contaminated turkey salad.​

Half the nursing staff was out sick,
...one of those times I appreciated being too busy to attend the festivities.

Now maybe if they drank that hand sanitizer...

Rob

 

[HankD]

CHEAP 99% ALCOHOL (C2H50H) KILLS IT ALL.

WALMART ABOUT 1.00 A PINT.

 

[canadyjd]

I spent a week in a tent in Bosnia with salmonella. Ah... Those were the days

Tough being sick, but being sick I foreign country must have been a little scary.

Were you in armed service? Or part of missionary effort?

peace to you

 

[JonC]

Tough being sick, but being sick I foreign country must have been a little scary.

Were you in armed service? Or part of missionary effort?

peace to you

Army. In 1996. The British tried to kill me with eggs over easy.

@Martin Marprelate probably had something to do with it.

 

[HatedByAll]

This explanation of why you should clean your hands to prevent contamination from a virus seems to explain it well.
Adam McBride DC

You can't "kill" a virus because it is not alive. Destroy the lipid protecting the RNA and the virus is destroyed. Or something like that

Sent from my SM-G930R7 using Tapatalk

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Been there, done that. Not very pleasant. I also ate some undercooked chicken about 30 years ago. There are times when I think I can still taste the v&mit in my mouth. Very nasty. Sick for several days.

My wife still asks, almost every time, when we pass the restaurant (it has changed hands several times) if I want to stop for chicken. Kinda mean I say.

peace to you

My moms family were butchers and poultry people. Because of that, we rarely eat chicken.

 

[Agent47]

I have yet to see any that use the word virus anywhere on the labeling. I'll be on the lookout.

I saw a disinfectant,Dettol I think, that listed viruses including SARS-Cov-2