Destruction of infectious agents outside the body by chemical or physical means is called what?

• A. Disinfection
• B. Sterilization
• C. Antisepsis
• D. Sanitation

Answer: (A)

Disinfection is the process of destroying or reducing pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects and surfaces outside the body using chemical agents or physical methods. It targets objects, not living tissues, and aims to lower the microbial load to a level that reduces infection risk. Sterilization would eliminate all forms of life, including spores, and is used when complete microbial kill is required. Antisepsis is about preventing infection on living tissue, not on objects, and sanitation refers to basic cleaning to reduce overall contamination to safe levels. The description in the question matches disinfection.