Medical News Today
27 Jan 2022
Alcohol kills some viruses, but not all. The effectiveness depends on the concentration and type of alcohol, along with the species of the virus.
Although the CDC recommends washing the hands with soap and water, this mode of cleansing is not always available. When it is not, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help prevent transmission of viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Both isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol can kill an array of viruses. Isopropyl alcohol is the main ingredient in rubbing alcohol, while ethyl alcohol is the type of alcohol present in alcoholic beverages.
Isopropyl alcohol works against enveloped viruses but not against nonenveloped viruses. Ethyl alcohol works against enveloped viruses and a few nonenveloped viruses. Both ethyl and isopropyl alcohol have potent antiviral action against herpes viruses, HIV, hepatitis B virus and SARS-CoV-1& 2.
These alcohols do not have antiviral action against nonenveloped viruses, such as polio and hepatitis A.
Alcohol disrupts the cell membrane of the virus by changing the structure of its proteins, a process known as “denaturation and coagulation.” Without a functional membrane, the virus cannot reproduce and cause infection. Adding water to alcohol makes it more effective in denaturing the proteins. This is because alcohol on its own evaporates very quickly. Water slows this down, exposing viruses to the alcohol for longer.
The recommended concentration of alcohol in sanitizers is 80% ethyl alcohol or 75% isopropyl alcohol. However, sanitizers containing at least 60% are also effective.
While using alcohol-based sanitizers or rubbing alcohol around the home, apply the solution to a cotton pad. Wipe the pad over the surface. Avoid inhalation of the fumes.
When using it on the skin, apply some gel to the palms and rub it all over the hands, including between the fingers. Then, wait until it dries.
Alcohol is inferior to washing with soap and water. Unlike hand sanitizers, soap and water can remove all kinds of germs from the hands. Alcohol is also less effective than some other disinfectants like hydrogen peroxide for cleaning surfaces or equipment. These substances can kill a wider variety of microbes than alcohol and do not evaporate as quickly, meaning they are in contact with the microbes for longer.
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