Germs are microscopic organisms like bacteria and viruses that can cause disease. They are so tiny you cannot see them without a microscope. Germs can spread from person to person in several ways. They may spread through the air when people cough or sneeze. Germs can also spread through direct contact like shaking hands or touching a surface that has germs on it like a door handle. Germs from an infected person can easily get onto hands and spread to anything else the hands touch, including the eyes, nose, and mouth—where germs can enter the body and cause an illness.

How do disinfectants help prevent Hand Sanitizer spread of germs?

Disinfectants use alcohol to kill germs quickly on hands. When used correctly, alcohol-based disinfectants can help reduce the number of germs on hands and help prevent the spread of some illnesses. Disinfectants work best on hands that are not visibly dirty or grimy. Disinfectants don't eliminate all types of germs, and don't remove chemicals and toxins on hands. Hand Sanitizer Handwashing with soap and water is more effective at removing certain kinds of germs, chemicals and dirt but disinfectants provide a convenient option when handwashing is not available.

Using disinfectants has shown to reduce illness when used consistently and correctly. To work properly, disinfectants need an alcohol concentration of at least 60% and to be used correctly. Applying the product to the palm of one hand and rubbing them together, rubbing the product all over the surfaces of both hands and fingers until they are dry helps kill many illness-causing germs.

Which types of germs can disinfectants target?

Alcohol-based disinfectants are effective against many common types of germs including cold and flu viruses. Some specific germs disinfectants have been shown to be effective against include:

- Rhinoviruses - One of the most common causes of the common cold which accounts for up to half of all colds. Rhinoviruses are spread through direct contact with infected nasal or eye secretions or indirect contact by touching contaminated surfaces.

- Influenza viruses - Including influenza A and B which cause seasonal flu. Flu viruses spread mainly through respiratory droplets when people cough, sneeze or talk. Droplets travel up to six feet.

- Coronaviruses - Such as those that cause Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) that have emerged globally in recent years. Coronaviruses spread through direct or indirect contact or large respiratory droplets from coughing.

- Staphylococcus aureus - A common cause of skin infections, pneumonia, meningitis and toxin-related diseases that is spread through direct contact with infected wounds or skin or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

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