antiseptic /an·ti·sep·tic/ (-sep´tik)
Antiseptic
antiseptic
antiseptic [an″tĭ-sep´tik]
antiseptic (anˈ·t
·sepˑ·tik),
antiseptic (an´tisep´tik),
antiseptic
1. pertaining to antisepsis.
2. preventing decay or putrefaction.
3. a substance that inhibits the growth and development of microorganisms without necessarily killing them.
an·ti·sep·tic ( n t -s p tk)adj. 1. Of, relating to, or producing antisepsis. 2. Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents. n. A substance that inhibits the proliferation of infectious agents. |
Antiseptic
Chemicals applied to the skin to destroy bacteria and prevent infection.
antiseptic
[-sep′tik]
1 tending to inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms.
2 a substance that tends to inhibit the growth and reproduction of microorganisms when applied to living tissue. See also disinfectant.
antiseptic [an″tĭ-sep´tik]
1. pertaining to antisepsis.
2. any substance that inhibits growth of microorganisms; this is contrasted to a germicide, which kills them outright. The category antiseptics is also not considered to include antibiotics, which are usually taken internally, although it does include disinfectants. However, most disinfectants are too strong to be applied to body tissue and are generally used to clean inanimate objects such as floors and bathroom fixtures.
Antiseptics are divided into two types: physical and chemical. The most important physical antiseptic is heat, applied by boiling, autoclaving, flaming, or burning. These are among the oldest and most effective methods of disinfecting contaminated objects, water, and food. Chemical antiseptics have many applications: they are used in treating wounds and infections, in sterilizing (such as before an operation), and in general hygiene; they also have applications in the preservation of food and purification of sewage. There are many different antiseptic substances to choose from; their strength and the speed at which they work are factors that influence the choice of which to use for a specific task.
Antiseptics are divided into two types: physical and chemical. The most important physical antiseptic is heat, applied by boiling, autoclaving, flaming, or burning. These are among the oldest and most effective methods of disinfecting contaminated objects, water, and food. Chemical antiseptics have many applications: they are used in treating wounds and infections, in sterilizing (such as before an operation), and in general hygiene; they also have applications in the preservation of food and purification of sewage. There are many different antiseptic substances to choose from; their strength and the speed at which they work are factors that influence the choice of which to use for a specific task.
urinary antiseptic a drug that is excreted mainly by way of the urine and performs its antiseptic action in the bladder. These drugs may be given before examination of or operation on the urinary tract, and they are sometimes used to treat urinary tract infections.
antiseptic (anˈ·t
·sepˑ·tik),n/adj a substance that controls infection by inhibiting growth and replication of the causative agent.
antiseptic (an´tisep´tik),
n an antimicrobial agent for application to a body surface, usually skin or oral mucosa, in an attempt to prevent or minimize infection at the area of application.
antiseptic
1. preventing sepsis.
2. any substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria, in contrast to a germicide, which kills bacteria outright. Antiseptics are not considered to include antibiotics, which are usually taken internally. The term antiseptic includes disinfectants, although most disinfectants are too strong to be applied to body tissue and are generally used to clean inanimate objects such as floors and equipment. Includes physical antiseptics, chemical antiseptics, halogens, alcohols and surfactants.
urinary antiseptic
a drug that is excreted mainly in the urine and performs its antiseptic action in the bladder. These drugs may be given before examination of or operation on the urinary tract, and they are sometimes used to treat urinary tract infections.
antiseptic
An agent that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria. This term is generally restricted to agents that are sufficiently non-toxic for superficial application to living tissues. These include the preservatives for eye drops and contact lens solutions. Examples of antiseptics are alcohol, benzalkonium chloride, cetrimide, chlorbutanol, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, thimerosal (or thiomersalate). Other agents that are too toxic to be applied to living tissues are called disinfectants and are used to sterilize instruments and apparatus. See disinfection; ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid; neutralization; sterilization.
antiseptic
adjective Referring to an agent or effect that counters microbial growth noun Medtalk A substance that arrests or prevents the growth of microorganisms by inhibiting their activity without necessarily destroying them.
Cf Aseptic, Disinfectant, Germicide.
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