Disinfection
Disinfection
Disinfection (/ˌdɪsɪnˈfɛkʃən/) is a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects.
Etymology
The term "disinfection" comes from the Latin words "dis" meaning "away" and "infectio" meaning "to infect".
Process
In the healthcare setting, objects usually are disinfected by liquid chemicals or wet pasteurization. Each disinfectant has its own spectrum of antimicrobial activity, uses, and advantages/disadvantages.
Types of Disinfection
There are various types of disinfection methods including heat, filtration, and radiation. Some common types include:
- Chemical Disinfection: This involves the use of chemical disinfectants such as alcohol, chlorine, and hydrogen peroxide.
- Physical Disinfection: This involves the use of physical methods such as heat, steam, and radiation.
- Mechanical Disinfection: This involves the use of mechanical methods such as filtration and scrubbing.
Related Terms
- Sterilization: A process that destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life and is carried out in health-care facilities by physical or chemical methods.
- Antiseptic: A substance that stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms. They're often used in hand sanitizers and wipes.
- Sanitization: The process of reducing the number of microorganisms on a clean surface to safe levels.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Disinfection
- Wikipedia's article - Disinfection
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