Anti-infection

Anti-infection the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites within the body are known as infections. Anti-infection or anti-infective is a substance or agent capable of acting against infection, either by inhibiting the spread of an infectious agent or by killing the infectious agent directly. Other synonyms include antiseptics, biocides, sanitizers, antibacterial, antivirals, and antifungals. The most commonly used anti-infectives are antibiotics of microbial origin (produced by a microorganism to kill or inhibit other types of microorganisms); examples include penicillin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, etc. Some antibiotics are semi-synthetic derivatives of the natural antibiotic, which are more potent than the parent compound (eg, ampicillin).

Antibiotics are generally taken orally, parenterally (through intravenous injections), or as ointments. Some of them are life-saving drugs in the context of modern medicine. However, some microorganisms show resistance to a wide range of antibiotics, posing a serious threat to human health. Other anti-infections or anti-infectives may be synthetic molecules, chemicals, or drugs. Biocides are chemicals applied for the disinfection of a surface, and antiseptics are chemicals applied to the skin to kill germs. At the same time, sanitizers are commonly used on hands or clothes to make them free of germs. Antivirals and antifungals are usually chemical substances effective against viruses and fungus. Thus, anti-infection is the best catch-all for substances that are given to treat infections. [Laila Noor Islam]