Alcohol: Difference between revisions

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Surfaces must be cleaned before disinfecting with alcohol, which will remove the protein-rich materials that alcohol cannot penetrate.<ref name="CDC-coronavirusprevention">{{Cite web | url = https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html | title = COVID-19 and Your Health | last = CDC | date = 2021-11-29 | website = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|language=en-us | access-date = 2021-12-12}}</ref><ref name="CDC-disinfect" />
Surfaces must be cleaned before disinfecting with alcohol, which will remove the protein-rich materials that alcohol cannot penetrate.<ref name="CDC-coronavirusprevention">{{Cite web | url = https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html | title = COVID-19 and Your Health | last = CDC | date = 2021-11-29 | website = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|language=en-us | access-date = 2021-12-12}}</ref><ref name="CDC-disinfect" />


Alcohols are not recommended for sterilizing medical and surgical materials principally because they penetrate protein-rich materials, and they cannot inactivate the spores caused by some forms of [[bacteria]].<ref name="CDC-disinfect">{{Cite web | url = https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html | title = Chemical Disinfectants {{!}} Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines {{!}} Guidelines Library {{!}} Infection Control|website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | date = 2019-04-04|language=en-us | access-date = 2021-12-12}}</ref>
Alcohols are not recommended for sterilizing medical and surgical materials principally because they penetrate protein-rich materials, and they cannot inactivate the spores caused by some forms of [[bacteria]].<ref name="CDC-disinfect">{{Cite web | url = https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html | title = Chemical Disinfectants {{!}} Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines {{!}} Guidelines Library {{!}} Infection Control | website = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | date = 2019-04-04|language=en-us | access-date = 2021-12-12}}</ref>


==Alcohol-based hand sanitizer==
==Alcohol-based hand sanitizer==
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==Drinking alcohol==
==Drinking alcohol==
Drinking alcohol does not provide protection against coronaviruses, and drinking alcohol frequently or excessively can be extremely dangerous.<ref name="WHO-Covid-19-mythsacts">{{Cite web | url = https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters | title = COVID-19 Mythbusters | last = World Health Organization | first = | authorlink = World Health Organization | date = |website=World Health Organization|language=en| archive-url = | archive-date = |url-status = | access-date=2021-12-12}}</ref>
Drinking alcohol does not provide protection against coronaviruses, and drinking alcohol frequently or excessively can be extremely dangerous.<ref name="WHO-Covid-19-mythsacts">{{Cite web | url = https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters | title = COVID-19 Mythbusters | last = World Health Organization | first = | authorlink = World Health Organization | date = | website = World Health Organization|language=en| archive-url = | archive-date = |url-status = | access-date=2021-12-12}}</ref>


==ME/CFS==
==ME/CFS==

Revision as of 01:31, March 9, 2023

Alcohol is not a medical treatment, but is frequently used in health-care settings to disinfectant surfaces in order to prevent the transmission of common viruses or bacteria.[1]

Ethyl alcohol[edit | edit source]

Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, can destroy any virus enveloped in fat, when used in the correct concentrations, including:

and some non-enveloped viruses, including:

Ethyl alcohol is not effective against the hepatitis A virus or polioviruses.[2]

Ethyl alcohol should be used at 60-80% concentrations.[2]

Isopropyl alcohol[edit | edit source]

Isopropyl alcohol, also known as isopropyl, 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.[1]

Isopropyl is also effective against a variety of bacteria, including:

Methanol[edit | edit source]

Methanol is not used in healthcare settings due to its low effectiveness against bacteria.[1]

Limitations of alcohol disinfectants[edit | edit source]

Surfaces must be cleaned before disinfecting with alcohol, which will remove the protein-rich materials that alcohol cannot penetrate.[3][2]

Alcohols are not recommended for sterilizing medical and surgical materials principally because they penetrate protein-rich materials, and they cannot inactivate the spores caused by some forms of bacteria.[2]

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer[edit | edit source]

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS) are effective against many different types of viruses and bacteria; a 60% strength concentration is recommended for the virus causing the 2019-2020 coronavirus pandemic.[3] However, washing hands carefully soap and running water is more effective against coronaviruses, including the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.[3]

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have limited effectiveness when incorrect technique is used, not enough sanitizer is used, and when they are not used consistently.[4]

Drinking alcohol[edit | edit source]

Drinking alcohol does not provide protection against coronaviruses, and drinking alcohol frequently or excessively can be extremely dangerous.[5]

ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

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

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.

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Chemical Disinfectants | Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines | Guidelines Library | Infection Control". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 4, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Chemical Disinfectants | Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines | Guidelines Library | Infection Control". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 4, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 CDC (November 29, 2021). "COVID-19 and Your Health". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  4. Gold, Nina A.; Mirza, Taaha M.; Avva, Usha (2021). Alcohol Sanitizer. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 30020626.
  5. World Health Organization. "COVID-19 Mythbusters". World Health Organization. Retrieved December 12, 2021.