"Running Head: ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTSAntimicrobial AgentsNameCourseDate ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTSAntimicrobial agents are physical agents that are used for the destruction of microorganisms orprevent their development. Categories of antimicrobial agents and their mechanism of actions1. Antibiotics- These are substances that are derived from one microorganism so as to killmicroorganism. They are effective against bacterial, fungal as well as parasitic infections.There are two types of antibiotics which are;Bactericidal antibiotics- They have killing effects on bacteria like penicillin and OfloxacinBacteriostatic antibiotics- They have an inhibitory effect on bacteria, for example, Erythromycinand Chloramphenicol. Antibiotics actions specifically fall within one of the four mechanisms,three of which involve inhibition and regulation of enzymes involved in the cell wall synthesis,nucleic acid metabolism, and repair ("ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY:2006 INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS", 2005). The other mechanism of action involves thedisruption of the membrane structure. The majority of the cellular functions targeted by theantibiotics are most active in multiplying cells.2. Antiseptics- They are applied to injured tissues, cuts as well as infected skin surfaces.They are not prescribed to be taken orally, and they include Dettol which is applied to thewounds and Boric acid used as an antiseptic agent for eyes.3. Disinfectants-They is used to destroy the pathogenic microorganisms in the nonlivingobjects like floors and the drainage systems. ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTSThe mechanism of actions of antiseptics and disinfectants involves oxidation of the bacterialprotoplasm, coagulation or the denaturation of the bacterial proteins as well as disruption of thecell membrane. They also have a detergent-like action which increases the permeability of thebacterial cell membrane.4. Antifungals- They are used to prevent and kill the further growth of the fungi. They areused as a treatment for infections like athlete's foot, ringworm as well as thrush. Theywork by exploiting the differences between the body cells and the fungal cells, and theykill off fungal organisms without dangerous effects on the host cell5. Antivirals- They are used for the treatment of viral infections. They specifically block theion channel function of the proteins in viruses hence interfering with the specific steps inthe viral life cycle ("ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY: 2006INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS", 2005).6. Antiparasitics- They are used for the treatment of infections caused by parasites. They aretoxic to the parasite, and they inhibit the metabolic processes which are significant to theparasite, for example, Anthelmintics. Describe the differences between viral and bacterial infectionsBacterial infections are caused by bacteria, and viral infections are caused by viruses. Thegreatest difference between bacterial and viral infections involves treatment. A bacterialinfection has the possibility of being cleared up with a doctor-prescribed dose of antibioticswhereas a virus does not respond to antibiotics. Antiviral medication helps ease the symptoms ofviral infection, but it's up to the body's strong immune system to fight off the cause of theproblem (Steckelberg, 2017). Diseases caused by bacteria include tuberculosis, strep throat, and ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTSurinary tract infections. Viral diseases include influenza, measles, chicken pox as well ascommon cold.Explain why proper identification of viral and bacterial infections is key to selecting theproper antimicrobial agentProper identification of viral and bacterial infections is key to the selection of a properantimicrobial agent to avoid drug resistance of the microorganisms that causes the infections.The majority of the microorganisms causing the viral and bacterial infections have evolved tobecome resistant to the antimicrobial agents, and lack of proper identification can result in failureof treatment of the infections ("International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents", 2010). Properidentification also enables proper use of vaccination so as to prevent the microorganisms fromcausing diseases. "