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Difference between Antibiotic and Antibacterial
Antibiotic and antibacterial are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different types of substances that are used to fight infections caused by bacteria. Understanding the difference between these two terms is important for anyone who is concerned about preventing or treating bacterial infections.
What is an Antibiotic?
Antibiotics are a type of medication that is used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. They are typically used to treat infections caused by bacteria, such as strep throat, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia. Antibiotics work by interfering with the ability of bacteria to grow or reproduce, which ultimately leads to their death.
There are many different types of antibiotics, each of which targets a different type of bacteria. Some antibiotics are broad-spectrum, which means that they are effective against a wide range of bacteria, while others are narrow-spectrum, which means that they are effective against only a specific type of bacteria.
While antibiotics are highly effective at treating bacterial infections, they are not effective against viral infections, such as the common cold or flu. In fact, taking antibiotics when they are not needed can actually do more harm than good, as it can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
What is an Antibacterial?
Unlike antibiotics, which are designed to be taken internally to target bacteria in the body, antibacterials are designed to be used externally to kill bacteria on surfaces or in the environment. They work by disrupting the cell membranes or metabolic pathways of bacteria, which ultimately leads to their death.
Antibacterials are used in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, food processing facilities, and public spaces, to help prevent the spread of bacterial infections. They are also commonly used in personal hygiene products, such as hand sanitizers, to help kill bacteria that may be present on the skin.
While antibacterials are effective at killing bacteria on surfaces and in the environment, they are not effective at treating bacterial infections that are already present in the body. In fact, there is some concern that the widespread use of antibacterials may contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as bacteria that are exposed to low levels of antibacterials over time may develop resistance to them.
Differences Antibiotic and Antibacterial
The following table highlights the major differences between an Antibiotic and an Antibacterial −
Characteristics |
Antibiotic |
Antibacterial |
|---|---|---|
Target organism |
Antibiotic refers to any chemical substance that targets and kills bacteria, fungi or parasites. |
Antibacterial refers to a chemical substance that is specifically designed to only target and kill bacteria. |
Cell type |
Antibiotics can target both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. |
An antibacterial can only target a prokaryotic cell. |
Cell sites |
Antibacterials by definition only kill bacteria and thus only target the peptidoglycan cell wall, bacterial DNA and metabolism. |
Antibiotics may also target chitin and glucan fungal cell walls and DNA of parasites. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the terms "antibiotic" and "antibacterial" are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to two different types of substances that are used to fight bacterial infections. Antibiotics are medications that are used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria in the body, while antibacterials are substances that are used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria on surfaces or in the environment.
Understanding the difference between these two types of substances is important for anyone who is concerned about preventing or treating bacterial infections.
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