In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWill Alcohol Kill COVID-19?Drinking Alcohol and COVID-19The Bottom Line
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Will Alcohol Kill COVID-19?
Drinking Alcohol and COVID-19
The Bottom Line
Beyond washing your hands and practicing social distancing, people are wondering whether there are other ways to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. There have been claims circulating about alcohol’s relationship to the disease and its potentially protective properties. We looked at the science and the latest expert guidelines to separate fact from fiction about COVID-19 and alcohol.Your Food and Coronavirus Questions AnsweredWill Alcohol Kill COVID-19?Claims about alcohol’s protective effect against COVID-19 may have started due to the recommendation to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when you are unable to wash your hands. Though it is not as effective as washing your hands, hand sanitizer with a60% or higher alcohol contentwill eliminate several, though not all, germs.Alcohol is effective at killing influenza, but it is unclear right now if it is effective specifically on COVID-19. Note: Safe commercial hand sanitizers contain ethanol; beware of anything containingmethanol, which can be toxic.Alcohol-based cleaners can also be used todisinfect household items and even electronics. They should be used only on small surfaces and in a well-ventilated area, as alcohol is flammable.Getty Images/Marko GerberDrinking Alcohol and COVID-19Alcohol can be an effective household disinfectant or hand cleaner in a pinch to help eliminate most germs. However, the same does not hold true about drinking alcoholic beverages. TheWorld Health Organizationhas been very clear in stating that consuming alcoholic drinks does not protect you from COVID-19 and can increase your risk of health problems if you consume it in excess. And, of course, it can be deadly to ingest alcohol-based sanitizers or any other alcohol not meant for human consumption, and these products should be kept away from children when not in use.The Bottom LineThough washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water should be your priority, hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol can be effective at cleaning your hands in a pinch or when you are on the go. Alcohol can also be used to disinfect household surfaces, specifically electronics and screens. Consuming alcoholic drinks will not reduce your risk of contracting illness, and excess drinking can put you at greater risk for health problems.Healthy LifestyleWas this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Beyond washing your hands and practicing social distancing, people are wondering whether there are other ways to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. There have been claims circulating about alcohol’s relationship to the disease and its potentially protective properties. We looked at the science and the latest expert guidelines to separate fact from fiction about COVID-19 and alcohol.Your Food and Coronavirus Questions AnsweredWill Alcohol Kill COVID-19?Claims about alcohol’s protective effect against COVID-19 may have started due to the recommendation to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when you are unable to wash your hands. Though it is not as effective as washing your hands, hand sanitizer with a60% or higher alcohol contentwill eliminate several, though not all, germs.Alcohol is effective at killing influenza, but it is unclear right now if it is effective specifically on COVID-19. Note: Safe commercial hand sanitizers contain ethanol; beware of anything containingmethanol, which can be toxic.Alcohol-based cleaners can also be used todisinfect household items and even electronics. They should be used only on small surfaces and in a well-ventilated area, as alcohol is flammable.Getty Images/Marko GerberDrinking Alcohol and COVID-19Alcohol can be an effective household disinfectant or hand cleaner in a pinch to help eliminate most germs. However, the same does not hold true about drinking alcoholic beverages. TheWorld Health Organizationhas been very clear in stating that consuming alcoholic drinks does not protect you from COVID-19 and can increase your risk of health problems if you consume it in excess. And, of course, it can be deadly to ingest alcohol-based sanitizers or any other alcohol not meant for human consumption, and these products should be kept away from children when not in use.The Bottom LineThough washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water should be your priority, hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol can be effective at cleaning your hands in a pinch or when you are on the go. Alcohol can also be used to disinfect household surfaces, specifically electronics and screens. Consuming alcoholic drinks will not reduce your risk of contracting illness, and excess drinking can put you at greater risk for health problems.Healthy Lifestyle
Beyond washing your hands and practicing social distancing, people are wondering whether there are other ways to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. There have been claims circulating about alcohol’s relationship to the disease and its potentially protective properties. We looked at the science and the latest expert guidelines to separate fact from fiction about COVID-19 and alcohol.
Your Food and Coronavirus Questions Answered
Claims about alcohol’s protective effect against COVID-19 may have started due to the recommendation to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when you are unable to wash your hands. Though it is not as effective as washing your hands, hand sanitizer with a60% or higher alcohol contentwill eliminate several, though not all, germs.Alcohol is effective at killing influenza, but it is unclear right now if it is effective specifically on COVID-19. Note: Safe commercial hand sanitizers contain ethanol; beware of anything containingmethanol, which can be toxic.
Alcohol-based cleaners can also be used todisinfect household items and even electronics. They should be used only on small surfaces and in a well-ventilated area, as alcohol is flammable.
Getty Images/Marko Gerber
Alcohol can be an effective household disinfectant or hand cleaner in a pinch to help eliminate most germs. However, the same does not hold true about drinking alcoholic beverages. TheWorld Health Organizationhas been very clear in stating that consuming alcoholic drinks does not protect you from COVID-19 and can increase your risk of health problems if you consume it in excess. And, of course, it can be deadly to ingest alcohol-based sanitizers or any other alcohol not meant for human consumption, and these products should be kept away from children when not in use.
Though washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water should be your priority, hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol can be effective at cleaning your hands in a pinch or when you are on the go. Alcohol can also be used to disinfect household surfaces, specifically electronics and screens. Consuming alcoholic drinks will not reduce your risk of contracting illness, and excess drinking can put you at greater risk for health problems.
Healthy Lifestyle
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