anti-microbial
Destroys tiny pathogens
Anti-microbial describes substances or treatments that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms—bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
Antibiotics are anti-microbial agents targeting bacteria specifically.
The term appears on product labels for soaps, coatings, and medical devices: anti-microbial hand sanitizer, anti-microbial surface treatment.
Also spelled antimicrobial.
Microbe-killing substance
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
- fungicideChemical that kills mold
- germicideAgent that kills microbes
biocide · sanitizer · penicillin · tetracycline · cephalosporin · quinolone · vancomycin · streptomycin
Pressurized steam sterilization chamber
- pasteurizationThermal pathogen elimination process
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitizationCleaning to remove pathogens
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
Kills or inhibits germs
- antifungalDestroys or stops mold growth
- antiviralAgent blocking viral spread
- germicidalAble to kill microbes
- bacteriostaticInhibits microbial reproduction
broad-spectrum · narrow-spectrum · resistance · efficacy · potency · inhibitory · bactericidal · preservative
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusMicroscopic infectious agent
- fungusSpore-bearing organism
- pathogenDisease-causing microorganism
- germDisease-causing microorganism
spore · mold · yeast · parasite · biofilm · colony · strain · mutation
Cleaning palms with soap
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
- soapFatty alkali cleanser
- cleanserSubstance for removing grime
- food-safetyProtecting consumables from contamination
mouthwash · deodorant · toothpaste · wipes · spray · kitchen · bathroom · cross-contamination
antiseptic
Microbe-killing substance
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
- fungicideChemical that kills mold
germicide · biocide · sanitizer · penicillin · tetracycline · cephalosporin · quinolone · vancomycin · streptomycin · chlorhexidine
autoclave
Pressurized steam sterilization chamber
- pasteurizationThermal pathogen elimination process
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitizationCleaning to remove pathogens
decontamination · asepsis · ultraviolet · filtration · sterilizer
antibacterial
Kills or inhibits germs
- antifungalDestroys or stops mold growth
- antiviralAgent blocking viral spread
- germicidalAble to kill microbes
bacteriostatic · broad-spectrum · narrow-spectrum · resistance · efficacy · potency · inhibitory · bactericidal · preservative
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
germ · spore · mold · yeast · parasite · biofilm · colony · strain · mutation · microflora
handwashing
Cleaning palms with soap
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
- soapFatty alkali cleanser
- cleanserSubstance for removing grime
food-safety · mouthwash · deodorant · toothpaste · wipes · spray · kitchen · bathroom · cross-contamination
infection
Pathogen invasion causing illness
- hospitalMedical treatment facility
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
- catheterInserted medical drainage tube
implant · sepsis · MRSA · patient · pharmacy · prescription · prophylaxis · treatment · dressing · suture
anti-microbialprobiotic
Healthful live microorganism supplement
microbial · prebiotic · nutrient-rich · septic · unsterile
anti-microbialseptic
Infected with bacteria
non-sterile · contaminated · unsterilized · fertile · organic