Hand sanitiser has been proven to be effective against many types of bacteria and viruses. However results largely depend on the antimicrobial agent in the product you choose. For instance, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are simply not effective against many germs and pathogens because the percentage of alcohol they contain is not sufficient to kill the microbes. In contrast, an inorganic antimicrobial agent such as ionic silver proves to be effective across a broad spectrum of contagions. Healthcare professionals advise the regular use of soap and water in conjunction with an antibacterial hand sanitizer.