What is the difference between Disinfection and Sterilisation.

Now that it is the pandemic times, more focus is given on Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization for controlling the Covid-19 infection. Let’s check out what they mean and the differences in the terminology.

Disinfection	Sterilization
It is the process or act of destroying pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces.	In Sterilization process, all forms of life, including transmissible agents like viruses, bacteria, fungi and spore forms are eliminated or killed.
It kills only vegetative cells and not the spores.	It kills both vegetative cells and spores.
Chemical methods are used for disinfection	Application of chemicals, high pressure, heat, irradiation, and filtration or a combination of these processes are used for sterilization
Used to decontaminate surfaces and air	Used in decontamination of food, medicine and surgical instruments
Used in daily life.	Used for medical and research purposes.
Phenol, alcohol, chlorine, iodine are some of the disinfecting agents.	High temperatures, steam, radiation, filtration are some of the sterilization techniques.

Sterilization

With the Sterilization process, all forms of life, including transmissible agents like viruses, bacteria, fungi and spore forms are eliminated or killed. Sterilization is more effective to kill all microorganisms, especially the resistant bacterial spores.

How to sterilize effectively?

To achieve effective sterilization, you can apply chemicals, high pressure, heat, irradiation, and filtration or a combination of these processes. Generally, Sterilization is done to surgical equipment before surgery.

Disinfection

It is the process or act of destroying pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces. Disinfectants or antimicrobial agents are applied to non-living objects to destroy microorganisms that are living on these objects. Disinfectants destroy the cell wall of microbes or interfere with the metabolism of most organisms present on surfaces and remove them completely.

Type of Disinfectants

Ordinary Soap is found to be effective against the Corona Virus as a disinfection agent. An extensive range of disinfectants are being used today. Chlorine bleach (a 5% solution of sodium hypochlorite) is one of the most cost-effective disinfectants used nowadays. Chlorine Bleach is effective against most common pathogens. This includes difficult organisms found in a healthcare setting like antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus, fungi, and hepatitis B and C. Bacteria, viruses & germs can survive on surfaces or objects for several days. Hence disinfectant cleaning is required. Spick N Span provides disinfection services in Qatar to help keep the places where people shop, eat and work as clean as possible. We focus on techniques to help you to disinfect large areas and with minimal disruption. We combine the use of ULV fogging machines with manual cleaning. This ensures the disinfectant is easily delivered across a range of surfaces ensuring a higher level of disinfection. CONTACT US