Many people turned to disinfectants, colognes, and masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus, which is also seen in Turkey. The interest has grown so much that these products have been sold out in almost all pharmacies and websites after the statement of Health Minister Fahrettin Koca. So, what do we know about the correct use of preferred products despite the exorbitant prices? What do hand sanitizers do? Do disinfectants completely kill viruses? Is disinfectant prepared at home? Should a protective mask be used against the virus?

Yeditepe University Hospitals Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Specialist Prof. Dr. Meral Sönmezoğlu answered frequently asked questions.

What Are Hand Sanitizers Good For? How Does the Disinfection Mechanism Work?

When there is visible or invisible contamination, hand sanitizer is used to prevent disease-causing microorganisms from contaminating our own bodies or other people and surfaces. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the most commonly and safely used.

What Percentage of Alcohol Should Hand Sanitizers and Colognes Contain to Have an Effect Against the Virus? Can We Use All the Disinfectants in the Market? What Criteria Should We Consider When Purchasing Disinfectant?

Because alcohol-based hand sanitizers evaporate very quickly, they usually kill most microorganisms within 2 to 5 seconds. Alcohol-based disinfectants that we use in hospitals are disinfectants with adjusted alcohol content and printed expiration dates. The substances we call cologne used at home are chemicals that contain 70 percent and above alcohol and have disinfectant properties between 70 and 90 percent. Since the alcohol content of the colognes that have been left open will evaporate quickly, their disinfectant properties may decrease. For this reason, they are chemicals that have disinfectant properties between 60 and 90 percent, provided that the caps of large-volume disinfectants and household colognes are tightly closed.

While Some Disinfectants Have a Stronger and More Specific Odor, Others May Contain Perfume. Which One Should We Trust?

We should not smell any disinfectant while disinfecting our hands because it can be harmful to the respiratory tract due to its content. Therefore, there is no benefit to it being perfumed. This is not a reason for preference.

How is Hand Sanitizer Applied Effectively? What is the Method?

To be effective, it needs to fill the palm and should be spread by rubbing between the fingers on the palm and the outside of the hand, including the wrists. Since it can evaporate in a very short time and kill bacteria and viruses within 2 seconds, it must be spread quickly on the hand.

Do Disinfectants Completely Eliminate the Virus? 

Most disinfectants are effective against enveloped viruses. They are effective in most viruses and non sporing bacteria that cause disease in humans, such as HIV, Hepatitis B, influenza, or coronavirus.

Who Should Use Masks and When? Is It Better To Use Masks Only When Sick Or When Not Sick But Want Protection?

It has not been shown that there is a benefit to using masks in general for coronavirus protection. Face masks are protective materials that are recommended for people who are sick to wear when they come into contact with others. It is recommended that healthcare workers who will encounter many patients in hospitals wear face masks. It is recommended that healthcare professionals who come in close contact with patients who are likely to be infected with COVID-19, take samples from them, or come in close enough contact to operate such as a tracheostomy (making a hole leading to the windpipe surgically) wear N95 masks that also block very small particles.