Alcohol Gel Won't Stop Norovirus—The Virus Behind Childhood Diarrhea

     Does anyone still believe that alcohol spray can kill all types of germs? Alcohol cannot kill every pathogen, especially Norovirus, which has evolved to be more resilient than ever. Norovirus infections are commonly found in children under the age of 5.

Why is "Alcohol Not Enough"?

     Latest research reveals the truth: different strains of Norovirus have "varying levels of resistance to alcohol." Norovirus is a non-enveloped virus. This group of viruses has a tougher structure than enveloped viruses, making them more resistant to alcohol and many types of disinfectants. This is especially true for the GII.4 strain, which causes frequent outbreaks and can cause re-infection even if you've had it before, due to its ability to adapt and constantly change its surface structure, making it highly resistant to temperature and environmental factors.

In real-life scenarios, the concentration of alcohol is often insufficient. Although 90% alcohol is more effective at killing germs, most gels we use are around 70-75%, which may not be 100% effective against certain strains.

How to Prevent Norovirus

Since we don't know which strain is currently circulating around us, the "surest" way to stay safe is "washing hands with soap and running water."

• Soap: Helps wash away and detach stubborn germs from the skin.
• Running Water: Helps flush the germs down the drain, preventing them from remaining on the hands like when using gel.
• Time: Wash thoroughly in every nook and cranny for at least 20 seconds.

Alcohol gel is still useful for other types of germs. But for Norovirus, which causes severe vomiting and diarrhea in children, "Soap" is the real hero. Do not rely solely on hand sanitizer. "Eat hot food, use serving spoons, and wash hands with soap" is the best defense.