antibacterials
Infection-fighting substances
Antibacterials are substances that kill bacteria or inhibit their growth.
The term covers a broad category including antibiotics, antiseptics, and disinfectants.
In everyday use, antibacterials often refers specifically to products like hand soaps or cleaning agents marketed as germ-killing: antibacterial wipes, antibacterial hand sanitizer.
Bacteria-destroying medicines
- penicillinFungus-derived infection fighter
- amoxicillinPenicillin-type bacteria killer
- azithromycinMacrolide antibacterial medication
- ciprofloxacinFluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent
tetracycline · doxycycline · erythromycin · vancomycin · clindamycin · metronidazole · cephalosporins · sulfonamides
Agent destroying surface pathogens
- sanitizerAgent that reduces microbes
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- bleachChemical stain and germ killer
- sterilizerEquipment that eliminates pathogens
germicide · wipes · decontaminant · hospital-grade · chlorhexidine · alcohol-based · benzalkonium · iodine
Antibiotic-immune bacteria
- MRSADrug-resistant staph infection
- multidrug-resistantUnaffected by multiple treatments
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
- plasmidsCircular extrachromosomal DNA elements
Cleaning palms with soap
- soapFatty alkali cleanser
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- asepsisAbsence of harmful microorganisms
antibiotics
Bacteria-destroying medicines
- penicillinFungus-derived infection fighter
- amoxicillinPenicillin-type bacteria killer
- azithromycinMacrolide antibacterial medication
ciprofloxacin · tetracycline · doxycycline · erythromycin · vancomycin · clindamycin · metronidazole · cephalosporins · sulfonamides · bacitracin
disinfectant
Agent destroying surface pathogens
- sanitizerAgent that reduces microbes
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- bleachChemical stain and germ killer
sterilizer · germicide · wipes · decontaminant · hospital-grade · chlorhexidine · alcohol-based · benzalkonium · iodine · phenolic
superbugs
Antibiotic-immune bacteria
- MRSADrug-resistant staph infection
- multidrug-resistantUnaffected by multiple treatments
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
plasmids · mutations · overuse · misuse · cross-resistance
handwashing
Cleaning palms with soap
- soapFatty alkali cleanser
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- cleaning sciencedetergents, surfactants, disinfectants, sanitizers, solvents
- disinfectantsbleach, chlorine, antiseptic, disinfectant spray, hydrogen peroxide
- Infection Controlinfection control, infection prevention, hand hygiene, handwashing, hand sanitizer
- Infection Treatmentsantifungals, antivirals, antiparasitics, antimalarials, antiretrovirals
- medicationspills, Tylenol, capsules, tablets, Xanax
antibacterialsantivirals
Medicines that inhibit viruses
antifungals · antiparasitics · antimalarials · antiretrovirals
- antibacterial soapCleanser with germ-killing agents
- antibacterial wipesDisposable cloths that kill germs
- antibacterial sprayGerm-killing aerosol cleanser
- antibacterial gelTopical disinfectant solution
- antibacterial resistanceGerms surviving treatment attempts
- antibacterial washGerm-destroying cleaning agent