Q. What are the terms used in sterilization?

Sterilization: It is defined as freeing the object or substance from all life of any kind.

It is defined alternatively as the process by which an article, surface or medium is freed of all micro-organisms either in the vegetative or spore state.

Disinfection: It means the killing, removal or destruction of organisms capable of causing infection namely pathogens.

Disinfectant: It is an agent accomplishing disinfection. It is applicable to inanimate objects.

Antiseptic: Closely linked to disinfection, it inhibits or destroys pathogens and is applicable to living tissues Bactericide means killing of bacteria while Bacteriostatic means reversible inhibition of bacterial growth without killing them.

Asepsis: It is the prevention from contamination from micro-organisms includes sterile condition in tissues, on materials and in rooms, as obtained by excluding, removing or killing micro-organisms.

Cross Infection or Cross Contamination: It is the passage of micro-organisms from one person to another via any route direct or indirect.