antimicrobial
Destroys tiny pathogens
Antimicrobial describes something that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms—bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
Antimicrobial agents include antibiotics, antiseptics, and disinfectants.
The term appears in medical and consumer contexts: antimicrobial soap, antimicrobial resistance.
As a noun, an antimicrobial is any such agent: The doctor prescribed an antimicrobial for the infection.
Bacteria-killing medication
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- sanitizerAgent that reduces microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
fungicide · antiviral · antifungal · biocide · germicide · microbicide · virucide · algicide
Cause death
- inhibitTo restrain or hinder
- destroyCause complete ruin
- neutralizeCancel an effect
- eliminateRemove completely
eradicate · suppress · prevent · combat · target · disrupt · lyse · bacteriostatic
Fungus-derived infection fighter
- amoxicillinPenicillin-type bacteria killer
- cephalosporinBeta-lactam antibiotic family
- tetracyclineBroad-spectrum bacterial treatment
- vancomycinGlycopeptide antibiotic for resistant infections
streptomycin · erythromycin · azithromycin · ciprofloxacin · metronidazole · clindamycin · quinolone · doxycycline
Treatment-resistant pathogen
- MRSADrug-resistant staph infection
- multidrug-resistantUnaffected by multiple treatments
- overuseExcessive employment of something
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
biofilm · plasmid · hospital-acquired · cross-resistance · conjugation · transduction · adaptation · stewardship
Cleanliness for public health
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
- handwashingCleaning palms with soap
sanitizing · aseptic · sterile · germ-free · clean · autoclaved · hospital-grade · clinical
antibiotic
Bacteria-killing medication
- antisepticMicrobe-killing substance
- disinfectantAgent destroying surface pathogens
- sanitizerAgent that reduces microbes
bactericide · fungicide · antiviral · antifungal · biocide · germicide · microbicide · virucide · algicide · sporicide
kill
Cause death
- inhibitTo restrain or hinder
- destroyCause complete ruin
- neutralizeCancel an effect
eliminate · eradicate · suppress · prevent · combat · target · disrupt · lyse · bacteriostatic · bactericidal
penicillin
Fungus-derived infection fighter
- amoxicillinPenicillin-type bacteria killer
- cephalosporinBeta-lactam antibiotic family
- tetracyclineBroad-spectrum bacterial treatment
vancomycin · streptomycin · erythromycin · azithromycin · ciprofloxacin · metronidazole · clindamycin · quinolone · doxycycline · ampicillin
superbug
Treatment-resistant pathogen
- MRSADrug-resistant staph infection
- multidrug-resistantUnaffected by multiple treatments
- overuseExcessive employment of something
mutation · biofilm · plasmid · hospital-acquired · cross-resistance · conjugation · transduction · adaptation · stewardship · misuse
sanitation
Cleanliness for public health
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sterilizationComplete elimination of microbes
- decontaminationRemoving dangerous substances
handwashing · sanitizing · aseptic · sterile · germ-free · clean · autoclaved · hospital-grade · clinical · surgical
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
impregnated · embedded · shield · layer · finish · fabric · polymer · catheter · implant · packaging
- Textile Testingtensile strength, colorfastness, fabric quality, fiber analysis, fiber content
- cleaningcleaning, clean, housekeeping, clean up, daily cleaning
- hygienehygiene, handwashing, toothbrush, hand washing, sanitizer
- gear featuresdurable, adjustable, breathable, lightweight, waterproof
- natural remediesherbal tea, essential oils, echinacea, ginseng, elderberry
- product featuressize, color, durable, quality, material
antimicrobialseptic
Infected with bacteria
pathogenic · infectious · contaminating · unhealthful · unsanitary