Hand sanitizers better than handwashing

Washington, March 24 (ANI): Hand sanitizers containing ethanol have been proven to work better against the common cold than washing hands with soap and water in a new study.

Researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville and Dial Corporation, Scottsdale, Arizona found sanitizers containing both ethanol and organic acids were significantly more effective in removing rhinovirus, the known cause of approximately 30 to 35 per cent of common cold cases in adults.

Investigators R.B. Turner, J.L. Fuls, and N.D. Rodgers found the ethanol hand sanitizer removed approximately 80 per cent of detectable rhinovirus from hands while soap and water removed 31 per cent.

The researchers said: "The ethanol-containing hand disinfectants were significantly more effective than hand washing with water or with soap and water for removal of detectable rhinovirus for the hands in this study.

"Furthermore, a formula containing organic acids and ethanol resulted in residual activity that significantly reduced virus recovery from the hands and rhinovirus infection for up to 4 hours after application."

The findings were detailed in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. (ANI)