Comparative Ananlysis on the Effectiveness of Commercial Hand Sanitizer Essay Example

are expelled into the air and can come into contact with the mouths or noses of nearby individuals, unknowingly spreading the illness. Additionally, influenza germs can remain on surfaces touched by infected people, making direct contact with these surfaces the second most prevalent way to contract diseases.

There are two ways in which direct contact can occur. The first is through physical touch or sharing personal items, like food or silverware, with an infected person. The second way is by encountering harmful bacteria on objects or surfaces that have been touched, coughed on, or sneezed on by infected individuals. This typically happens when people touch surfaces with respiratory droplets and then fail to properly disinfect before touching their eyes or mouth, resulting in the spread of disease.

After being infected, people may experience symptoms of viral and respiratory illnesses like coughing, sneezing, fever, fatigue, muscle or body aches, weakness, headaches, and a sore throat. Given the high occurrence of flu and sickness cases currently present, authorities recommend consistently implementing preventive measures to reduce the spread of diseases. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stresses that regular handwashing with soap and water or using hand sanitizers are considered the most effective methods for preventing the transmission of harmful diseases.

The text highlights the potent effectiveness of alcohol rub sanitizers in eradicating viruses, including enveloped ones like the flu virus, common cold virus, and HIV. It specifies that these sanitizers do not work against the rabies virus but can be combined with benzalkonium chloride in a hand sanitizer to fight against Norovirus. Furthermore, alcohol rubs also possess antifungal properties. Experts from the University of

Virginia Medical School propose that hand sanitizing is more effective than hand washing in battling the common cold.

Alcohol is lethal for disease-causing microorganisms and harmless resident bacteria. Studies indicate that alcohol hand sanitizers do not harm the beneficial germs present on the skin. The body rapidly replenishes these advantageous germs on the hands, often transferring them from the arms where harmful germs are less common. Antibacterial hand sanitizers are marketed to the public as a dependable alternative for cleansing hands when regular soap and water are unavailable. These "waterless" products are especially favored by parents with young children.

Hand sanitizer manufacturers claim that their products can eliminate 99.9% of germs by removing the outer layer of oil on the skin, preventing bacteria from reaching the hands' surface. It should be noted that these bacteria are not the ones responsible for causing illness. Non-alcohol hand sanitizers, which do not need rinsing, typically contain benzalkonium chloride, triclosan, or povidone-iodine as active ingredients.

Even though alcohol-free hand sanitizers are immediately effective on the skin, they can still become contaminated because alcohol acts as a preservative. Conversely, hand sanitizers with alcohol may also be contaminated if the regulation of alcohol content is incorrect or if microorganisms heavily contaminate the sanitizer during production.

The production of hand sanitizers can cause bacterial contamination, impacting their effectiveness and potentially causing infections on the treated area. To meet the needs of the skincare industry, some brands have begun mixing alcohol rubs with natural substances and essential oils to create high-end hand sanitizers. These premium products contain 60% alcohol for efficient germ elimination and also include moisturizing and skin-conditioning

ingredients. Research into preventive measures has been crucial following the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

Public interest in hand washing behavior has led to numerous campaigns promoting disease prevention. Posters and signs in public facilities worldwide educate about the negative consequences of not sanitizing, and more and more automatic sanitizer dispensers are being installed at entrances. Government officials generally believe that if people are given enough information, the necessary materials, and an opportunity to act, their behavior will change as desired (Kalill, 2000).

The psychoeducational approach is commonly used to promote proper hygiene, but there is a lack of research on its effectiveness and measurable effects. Hand sanitizers' efficiency depends on factors like alcohol content and usage.

Although hand sanitizers should not replace hand washing entirely, they can be used alongside regular hand cleaning when soap and water are unavailable. The use of hand sanitizers rose during the worldwide outbreak of the Swine flu in 2009. Individuals have been seen using hand sanitizers in different public locations, prior to meals, after using restrooms, and at workplaces.

Hand sanitizers are important for preventing the spread of bacteria through hand contact, especially when there is no access to water or soap. They are crucial for health workers and individuals, including children who often come into contact with dirt and contaminated objects.

The purpose of the article is to provide information to health workers about how they can decrease the spread of bacteria and prevent its growth in hospitals. It emphasizes the importance of hand sanitizer as a vital cleansing tool in our society today, especially for those who travel, work in healthcare,

or live in areas with limited access to water and alcohol.

The rise in hand sanitizer popularity is attributed to news stories about disease-causing viruses. Many hand sanitizers contain alcohol, which effectively protects our hands from bacteria and prevents the spread of germs from everyday objects. Additionally, using hand sanitizer as an alternative cleanser can decrease medical expenses, inconvenience, and illnesses caused by bacteria.