Role of alcohol based hand rubs (ABHR) in the COVID-19 era: A concise review

ABSTRACT

In this current pandemic of COVID-19, entire world is facing a huge crisis in healthcare and economic fronts. Till date, there is no definitive drug or vaccine for the cure of this novel Coronavirus 2019. Numerous repurposed and newer drugs are being tried in the therapy of this disease yet none have reached to conclusion of effectiveness in this disease. Hence, preventive strategies like social distancing, hand washing, using hand sanitizers, masks and personal protective equipment tends to be the crucial component in prevention from getting infected from this highly infective virus. Alcohol based hand sanitizers and hand rubs with more than 70 % alcohol seems to be effective in disinfecting the hands and touched surfaces. The sanitizers seem to be the first line of defense in the prevention of COVID19 as well as other microbial infections. The article elaborates the importance of hand sanitizers in the present new world pandemic and reduction in disease burden.