Every day researchers all over the world provide new knowledge about Coronavirus. This is great news, because the better we know the pathogen, the more effectively we can fight it. Now scientists have identified the weakest point of the virus.
Coronavirus is more resistant than the flu virus
Scientists have made comparisons to find out which germ is more resistant to environmental influences, Coronavirus or the influenza virus? The results of the study can be found in the journal "Clinical Infectious Diseases". Unfortunately, they indicate that the coronavirus is a very stable germ. It can remain active on the skin five times longer than an influenza virus. The germ survives for up to nine hours on human skin - whereas the influenza virus does not even stay active for two hours.
Because of this the researchers conclude that the risk of the coronavirus being transmitted via the hands could be significantly higher than that of the influenza pathogen. Once again, they emphasize the importance of proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections.
Virus killer that is extremely effective against Coronavirus
They also give a clear recommendation on which type of hand hygiene is most effective. One specific virus killer works equally well with both Coronavirus and the influenza virus: alcohol. Alcohol, which is the active ingredient in PURELL® hand sanitiser reliably kills both viruses within seconds.
Both types of viruses are enveloped viruses, which means that their genetic code is surrounded by a layer of fat. Fat-dissolving substances such as alcohols dissolve this layer and destroy the germ. Therefore, sanitising products with an alcohol content of at least 60 percent are recommended.
Finding the right hygiene routine
However, the right hygiene routine is essential to ensure that sanitisers are effective:
- Apply the product to dry hands.
- Rub the hands, wrists and the area around the fingernails and the spaces between the fingers for at least 30 seconds.
- Wait until the skin is completely dry.
But be careful - not every hand sanitiser on the market is produced under the same strict quality standards and has been tested intensively on a scientific basis as PURELL's product range, which has now been specifically tested for its effectiveness against Coronavirus.
“The FDA has issued warnings, alerts, and bans on more than 100 hand sanitisers for being unsafe or ineffective, including products contaminated with methanol and 1-propanol, both toxic ingredients”, states Carey Jaros, President and CEO at GOJO. “For us at GOJO, nothing is as important as making sure that everywhere from classrooms and restaurants, to hospitals and homes have access to the highest quality formulations of hand sanitiser. In line with our GOJO Purpose of Saving Lives and Making Life Better, never have we felt more responsibility to deliver on this promise.”
Stay healthy!
