Alcohol

Alcohol is not a medical treatment, but is frequently used in healthcare settings to disinfectant surfaces in order to prevent the transmission of common viruses or bacteria.

Ethyl alcohol
Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, can destroy any virus enveloped in fat, including the coronaviruses that cause COVID-19, SARS, and seasonal flu, and some non-enveloped viruses, when used in the correct concentration.

Isopropyl alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol can destroy any virus enveloped in fat, including the coronaviruses that cause COVID-19, SARS when used in the correct concentration, but unlike ethyl alcohol it cannot inactivate non-enveloped viruses.

Methanol
Methanol is not used in healthcare settings due to its low effectiveness against bacteria.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective against many different types of viruses and bacteria. However, washing hands carefully soap and running water is more effective against coronaviruses, including the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

ME/CFS
A number of different alcohol-based disinfectants are effective against common viruses and bacteria which have been reported to trigger ME/CFS.

Alcohol intolerance is also found in a significant proportion of ME/CFS patients. Some ME/CFS patients also develop mast cell activation syndrome, which involves an intolerance to alcohol and many other substances.

Learn more

 * Disinfection methods: Alcohol - CDC