ANTISEPTIC
VS.
DISINFECTANT




ANTISEPTIC VS. DISINFECTANT

ANTISEPTIC VS. DISINFECTANT LINKS



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SECTION 1



ANTISEPTIC
VS.
DISINFECTANT




Antiseptics and disinfectants are the basic tools of cleaning
and sanitizing, yet the difference between the two substances
is unclear.

Knowing the difference between antiseptics and disinfectants
and how each works to sterilize wounds or surfaces can help
you select the most appropriate product for your needs.



Difference

Both antiseptics and disinfectants eliminate disease-causing
organisms. The difference is in how each substance is used.
Antiseptics are applied to living skin or tissue to prevent
infection, whereas disinfectants are applied to surfaces,
equipment or other inanimate objects. Disinfectants are
stronger and more toxic than antiseptics because they are
applied to surfaces, not living tissue.



Significance

Disinfection kills or removes disease-causing organisms, but
not necessarily all organisms present on an object. Heat,
radiation, filtration or chemical processes are used to
sterilize objects such as medical instruments or surgical or
laboratory equipment. If properly sealed, a sterilized object
will remain sterile until the seal is broken. Sterilization is
uncommon outside of hospital or laboratory settings. In most
situations, disinfection is appropriate.



Biocides

A biocide is a chemical that acts against organisms. Such chemicals
are the active ingredients in antiseptics and disinfectants. Biocides
are classified as those that kill organisms or those that inhibit growth.
Common antiseptics are chlorhexidine, iodine, 70 percent ethanol and 3
percent hydrogen peroxide, according to Mount Sinai.



Widely used disinfectants include:

alcohol

glutaraldehyde

iodine

copper sulfate

ozone

chlorine gas



Some agents, such as chlorhexidine and iodine, can be used as either an
antiseptic or disinfectant.



Function

Antiseptics and disinfectants work similarly. The agents penetrate the
cell wall of the organism, such as bacteria. Inside the cell, the action
depends on the specific chemical contained in the antiseptic or disinfectant.
In general, antiseptic and disinfectant agents damage the cell membrane,
disrupt cell metabolism or alter the permeability of the cell wall.



Resistance

Not all organisms respond to all disinfectants and antiseptics, and some
organisms develop tolerance or resistance. Some types of organisms are
naturally resistant to certain types of biocides. For example, bacteria
classified as Gram-negative, which include Escherichia coli and
Staphylococcus aureus, tend to be more resistant to biocidal agents than
other types of bacteria. Mutations in viruses or bacteria can create
acquired resistance to widely used agents.



The Wrap Up

Antiseptics and disinfectants are the basic tools of cleaning and sanitizing,
yet the difference between the two substances is unclear. Sterilization is
uncommon outside of hospital or laboratory settings. Some agents, such as
chlorhexidine and iodine, can be used as either an antiseptic or disinfectant.
The agents penetrate the cell wall of the organism, such as bacteria. Not all
organisms respond to all disinfectants and antiseptics, and some organisms
develop tolerance or resistance. Some types of organisms are naturally
resistant to certain types of biocides.



Antiseptic Vs. Disinfectant
https://healthfully.com/antiseptic-vs-disinfectant-6028617.html



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Difference Between
Antiseptic and Disinfectant

http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/disease-health/difference-between-antiseptic-and-disinfectant/




Difference Between
Antiseptic and Disinfectant

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-antiseptic-and-vs-disinfectant/




Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Types and Uses

https://medcaretips.com/antiseptics-and-disinfectants-types-and-uses/




Disinfectant vs Antibacterial
What's the difference?

https://wikidiff.com/antibacterial/disinfectant




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SECTION 2



ANTISEPTIC
VS.
DISINFECTANT
LINKS




Antiseptics and Disinfectants:
Activity, Action, and Resistance

https://cmr.asm.org/content/12/1/147.full#SEC0

Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Definition, Types, Difference

https://byjus.com/chemistry/antiseptics-and-disinfectants/

Antiseptic vs. Antibacterial
https://www.askdifference.com/antiseptic-vs-antibacterial/

Antiseptic vs Disinfectant vs Antibacterial
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Weightlifting/Resources/COVID19-Updates/Resources/2020/March/17/Antiseptic-vs-Disinfectant-vs-Antibacterial

Difference between an Antiseptic and a Disinfectant
https://difference.guru/difference-between-an-antiseptic-and-a-disinfectant/

Disinfectants and Antiseptics
https://www.grainger.com/content/qt-disinfectants-antiseptics-206

How much heat doesit take
to destroy microorganisms?

https://eportal.mountsinai.ca/Microbiology//faq/cleaning.shtml#four

Overview of Antiseptics and Disinfectants
https://www.msdvetmanual.com/pharmacology/antiseptics-and-disinfectants/overview-of-antiseptics-and-disinfectants

What’s the difference between an
antiseptic and a disinfectant?

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-antiseptic#antiseptic-vs-disinfectant

What is the Difference Between
Disinfectant, Antiseptic and Sanitizer?

http://pharmapathway.com/what-is-the-difference-between-disinfectant-antiseptic-and-sanitizer-2/



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Safeopedia
https://www.safeopedia.com/




ILO
Encyclopaedia of
Occupational
Health and Safety

http://www.iloencyclopaedia.org/




Merck Manuals
Consumer Version
MSD Manuals

https://www.merckmanuals.com/home




HUMAN
ANATOMY
EDUCATION

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_jGNnK94Pbfp-LRK5w_diA




Human Body
http://amazingfacts4u.com/category/human-body/




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Amazing Facts 4 U
http://amazingfacts4u.com/




Hesperian Health Guides
http://hesperian.org/




New Health Advisor
http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/




World Life Expectancy
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/




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Medicine Net
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp




Medtube
https://medtube.net/




Medical Scientific animations
http://medical-animation-studio.com/MedicalAnimation.html




U.S. National Library of Medicine
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/




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