Prevention of nCoV: Is hand sanitizer better than washing hands with soap under running water?

Page Corona virus shield quoted BS. Tran Van Phuc - Green Po Hospital: the soap is good at washing away, so when washing under running water, both viruses and bacteria will be washed away.

Studies show that using antibacterial soap and regular soap are no different . But antibacterial soap is at risk of creating strains of resistant bacteria that will be very harmful.

Surely many people believe that hand sanitizer is better than washing your hands with soap under running water. The prestigious scientific studies that Dr. Phuc read, showed the opposite, especially with viruses.

Using antibacterial soap and regular soap are no different.

"I take the research example of Dr. Ryohei Hirose and colleagues in the journal Microbiology of the United States," Dr. Phuc shared.

First, Ryohei carried out research on two influenza virus samples with a virus in physiological saline and a virus in mucus. When using an 80% alcohol-based disinfectant solution, the viral sample in physiological saline takes 30 seconds to eliminate the flu virus, while the mucus sample takes 4 minutes.

Next, Ryohei tested the disinfectant solution in his hands. If the infected hand is dry, it takes 30 minutes, while the wet mucus droplets take 4 minutes to completely remove the virus.

But when you wash your hands under running water , no soap is needed , it only takes 30 seconds both dry virus and virus in wet mucus are removed.

Thus , when the infected hand is in a dry state, washing hands under running water without soap is like a handwashing with disinfectant solution, which takes 30 seconds.

When your hands are dry, washing your hands under running water for 30 seconds is like washing your hands with an antiseptic solution.

But when your hands are covered with virus-like mucus droplets, such as saliva, sputum, and secretions; washing your hands under soap-free running water only takes 30 seconds, while using disinfectant solution must wet your hands for 4 minutes to eliminate the virus and this is not possible. Dr. Ryohei explained that the disinfectant is reduced by organic matter in the mucus.

"Why is the effect of eliminating influenza virus with an antiseptic just like washing your hands under running water? I think the virus has a very simple structure, mostly positive RNA or RNA fear short, so the substance itself bacteria are difficult to break down the structure of the virus, while washing your hands under the tap has the effect of washing away, sweeping away the virus from your hands, " said Phuc.

There are 2 types of soap: regular soap and antibacterial soap.

Antiseptic soap with triclosan substance, bactericidal effect, kill some viruses, kill some species of fungi; But is it actually better than regular soap?

The answer is: no better!

The soap is good at washing out, so when washed under running water, both viruses and bacteria get washed away. Studies show that using antibacterial soap and regular soap are no different. But antibacterial soap is at risk of creating strains of resistant bacteria that will be very harmful.

The soap wash away very well, including viruses and bacteria.

That's why the US Food and Drug Administration recommends not using antibacterial soap.

Bottom Line: To prevent disease, especially viruses, it is best to wash your hands with regular soap under running water, only soap is not available to wash your hands with an antiseptic . If soap or antiseptic is not available , washing your hands under running water for more than 30 seconds will also work .

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives instructions on when to wash your hands, which has 10 situations to wash your hands clean, including:

• 1. Before, during and after preparing food.
• 2. Before eating.
• 3. Before and after caring for a person with vomiting or diarrhea.
• 4. Before and after treating a wound.
• 5. After going to the toilet.
• 6. After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet.
• 7. After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• 8. After touching animals, animal feed, animal waste.
• 9. After handling pet or pet food.
• 10. After touching the rubbish.

The key points in the CDC hand washing recommendation, I just point out, for readers to pay attention, because these are the contents related to the nCoV epidemic.

• 1. Washing your hands with soap under running water is best.
• 2. Hand washing time with soap and water is 20 seconds.
• 3. Regular soap is better than antibacterial soap.
• 4. Can not be washed with new soap and water to use disinfectant.
• 5. Disinfectant must contain at least 60% alcohol.
• 6. Rub antiseptic on dry hands for 20 seconds.

• Notes on Corona virus prevention and protection
• The best way to wear a medical mask to prevent Wuhan pneumonia
• Wuhan virus prevention: Dr. Pham Nguyen Quy pointed out the harmful effects when sneezing covering his nose and mouth with his hands
• How to make your own corona virus dry hand sanitizer according to WHO guidelines
• Handbook for questions and answers on acute respiratory infections caused by corona virus (nCoV)