What is the difference between disinfection and sterilization?

Disinfection and sterilization are both processes used to reduce the number of microorganisms on surfaces or objects, but they differ significantly in their effectiveness and intended outcome. Disinfection aims to eliminate or reduce the number of harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but it does not necessarily kill all microorganisms. It typically involves the use of chemical disinfectants or physical methods like pasteurization to kill most, but not all, pathogens. Disinfection is appropriate for surfaces or objects that come into contact with intact skin or mucous membranes. For example, disinfecting a countertop in a patient examination room reduces the risk of spreading infection, but some microorganisms may still survive. Sterilization, on the other hand, is a process that eliminates all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and bacterial spores. Sterilization is achieved through the use of high-intensity methods such as autoclaving (using high-pressure steam), dry heat sterilization, chemical sterilization with agents like ethylene oxide, or radiation sterilization. Sterilization is essential for medical devices or instruments that come into contact with sterile body tissues or fluids, such as surgical instruments or implantable devices. If these items are not completely sterile, they can introduce infections directly into the body, leading to serious complications. Therefore, while disinfection reduces the number of microorganisms, sterilization completely eliminates them, ensuring that an object is free from all forms of microbial life.