Question

Explain the differences between sterilization and disinfection in controlling the transmission of pathogens.

Answer 1

Ans.) Sterilization – It is the complete removal of all living organisms from a particular place or material. It can be done by incineration, heat treatment, gases, exposure to ionizing radiation, some liquid chemicals and filtration.

Disinfection - Disinfection is the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms by processes that fail to meet the criteria for sterilization. In simple terms, disinfection is a method of cleaning something, particularly with a chemical to destroy bacteria.

Sterlization is basically used to clean the equipments (glassware, steelware etc.) used in hospitals whereas disfection is cleaning of an particular area.

It is a very well know fact of the germ theory of disease that killing microbes before they reach patients is very important to prevent the infection. Thus, both the mentioned techniques controls the transmission or spread of pathogens.