Overview of SARS-CoV-2 and Hand Hygiene

Declaration of a Pandemic

Officially classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a global health threat. To mitigate the transmission of the virus, physical distancing and proper hand hygiene are essential strategies.

Handwashing Recommendations

The standard guideline recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. In situations where soap and water are unavailable, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers with a minimum of 60% alcohol content is recommended.

Types of Hand Sanitizers

Various hand sanitizers are on the market, categorized as alcohol-based and non-alcohol based. Health Canada advises against creating homemade sanitizers due to potential ineffectiveness and safety risks.

Mechanism of Hand Sanitizers

How Hand Sanitizers Work

Hand sanitizers function by disrupting the protective outer layer of viruses, rendering them unable to infect human cells. However, their effectiveness diminishes if used for less than the recommended duration of 30 seconds or if applied to visibly dirty hands.

Optimal Use of Hand Sanitizers

To maximize effectiveness, apply hand sanitizer to the palm and rub it over all surfaces of your hands until they are dry. It’s crucial to use enough sanitizer to cover both hands adequately. Research indicates that approximately 3mL is sufficient for most users, although those with larger hands may require more—generally, more than half a teaspoon is advised for effective disinfection.

Effectiveness Against SARS-CoV-2

Research Findings

A recent study evaluated the effectiveness of WHO-recommended hand rub formulations against SARS-CoV-2. The findings revealed that these formulations effectively inactivate the virus and also demonstrated efficacy against other coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS.

Active Ingredients

The study further examined the individual active ingredients within these formulations, which are common in commercially available hand sanitizers. Results indicated that both ethanol and 2-propanol significantly reduced the viral load after 30 seconds of application.

Additional Resources

For a variety of personal protective equipment, please visit www.medofsupply.com.

References

1. World Health Organization. WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19: 11 March 2020. Available at: https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19—11-march-2020
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Show me the science: When and how to use hand sanitizer in community settings. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html
3. Health Canada. Hard surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers (COVID-19). Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19.html
4. Kampf G, Reichel M, Feil Y, Eggerstedt S, Kaulfers PM. Influence of rub-in technique on required application time and hand coverage in hygienic hand disinfection. BMC Infect Dis. 2008;8:149.
5. Walter Zingg, Tamas Haidegger, Didier Pittet. Hand coverage by alcohol-based handrub varies: Volume and hand size matter. Am J Infect Control 44 (12): 1689-1691. Published: 1-Dec-2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.07.006
6. Kratzel A, Todt D, V’kovski P, Steiner S, Gultrom M, Thao TTN, et al. Inactivation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by WHO-recommended hand rub formulations and alcohols. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Jul. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2607.200915