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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 [[virus]]es or [[bacteria]].<ref name="CDC-disinfection">{{Cite web | url = https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html | title = Chemical Disinfectants {{!}} Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines {{!}} Guidelines Library {{!}} Infection Control | date = 2019-04-04 | website = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|language=en-us | access-date = 2021-12-12}}</ref> ===<span id="ethyl">Ethyl alcohol</span>=== Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, can destroy any virus enveloped in fat, when used in the correct concentrations, including: * the [[severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2|SARS-CoV-2]] coronavirus that causes [[COVID-19]] * the [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus|SARS-CoV]] virus that causes [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome|SARS]] * the different [[influenza|flu]] viruses *[[Human herpes virus]]es including the [[Epstein-Barr virus]]<ref name="CDC-disinfect" /> and some non-enveloped viruses, including: * [[adenovirus]]es * [[enterovirus]]es * [[rhinovirus]]es * [[rotavirus]]es<ref name="CDC-disinfect" /> Ethyl alcohol is not effective against the [[hepatitis]] A virus or [[poliovirus]]es.<ref name="CDC-disinfect" /> Ethyl alcohol should be used at 60-80% concentrations.<ref name="CDC-disinfect" /> ===<span id="isopropyl">Isopropyl alcohol</span>=== Isopropyl alcohol, also known as ''isopropyl'', can destroy any virus enveloped in fat, including the coronaviruses that cause [[COVID-19]], [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome|SARS]] when used in the correct concentration, but unlike ethyl alcohol it cannot inactivate non-enveloped viruses.<ref name="CDC-disinfection" /> Isopropyl is also effective against a variety of bacteria, including: *[[Escherichia coli]] (e-coli) *[[Staphylococcus]] *[[Streptococcus]]<ref name="CDC-disinfection" /> ===Methanol=== Methanol is not used in healthcare settings due to its low effectiveness against bacteria.<ref name="CDC-disinfection" /> ==Limitations of alcohol disinfectants== 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> ==Alcohol-based hand sanitizer== '''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.<ref name="CDC-coronavirusprevention" /> However, washing hands carefully soap and running water is more effective against [[:Category:Coronaviruses|coronaviruses]], including the coronavirus that causes [[COVID-19]].<ref name="CDC-coronavirusprevention" /> Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have limited effectiveness when incorrect technique is used, not enough sanitizer is used, and when they are not used consistently.<ref name="ABSH">{{Cite book | last = Gold | first = Nina A. | last2 = Mirza | first2 = Taaha M. | last3 = Avva | first3 = Usha | date = 2021 | title = Alcohol Sanitizer |url =http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513254/|location=Treasure Island (FL)| publisher = StatPearls Publishing|pmid=30020626}}</ref> ==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 = | author-link = World Health Organization | date = | website = World Health Organization|language=en| archive-url = | archive-date = |url-status = | access-date=2021-12-12}}</ref> ==ME/CFS== 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== *[[Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]] *[[COVID-19]] (Coronavirus disease 19) *[[Alcohol intolerance]] *[[Mast cell activation syndrome]] ==Learn more== *[https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html Disinfection methods: Alcohol] - CDC *[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html Coronavirus (COVID-19): Prevent getting sick] - CDC *[https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2 Products with Emerging Viral Pathogens AND Human Coronavirus claims for use against SARS-CoV-2] - EPA ==References== {{Reflist}} [[Category:Disinfectants]] [[Category:Potential treatments]] [[Category:Virology]] [[Category:Antibacterials]]
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