Antibacterial Ingredient: The active ingredient in antibacterial personal care products used to kill or control the growth of bacteria. Common antibacterial ingredients include triclosan, triclocarban, chloroxylenol (PCMX) and alcohol (ethyl alcohol).
Antibacterial Soap: A product that contains an ingredient(s) designed to kill or control certain bacteria on the hands or body. Antibacterial soaps are effective against the bacteria that can cause odor, skin infections, intestinal illnesses and other commonly transmitted diseases.
Antibiotic: A drug, usually administered by mouth or by injection (although occasionally also applied to the skin), which has effective antibacterial action at very low concentrations.
Antimicrobials: Ingredients and/or products containing those ingredients that inhibit or kill microorganisms. These products are usually used on surfaces such as inanimate objects or skin. In certain situations, the terms antimicrobial and antibacterial are used interchangeably.
Antiseptic: Substance that prevents or inhibits the growth of microorganisms. Antiseptics are usually applied to the skin.
Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that are commonly found in most environments. Some bacteria can cause infectious diseases.
Resistant Bacteria: Bacteria that are no longer sensitive to the antibiotics that have been used to destroy them in the past.
Campylobacter: Bacteria often found in contaminated poultry that can cause diarrhea, cramps and fever.
E. coli 0157:H7: E. coli is a type of bacteria that can be normally found in the human colon and generally causes no harm. However, a particular virulent strain of E. coli, known as E. coli 0157:H7, can lead to bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and blood and kidney disorders. In rare cases, it has been fatal.
Germ: Commonly used term for microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses.
Hand Sanitizer: Product usually formulated with alcohol to kill bacteria on the hands without washing with soap and water.
Microbes: Living organisms that are too small to be seen without the aid of a microscope. Often refers to disease-causing microorganisms.
Microorganism: An animal or plant of microscopic size, like bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Pathogen: Any disease-producing microorganism.
Pneumococcus: Bacteria that cause pneumonia and certain other diseases.
Salmonella: Bacteria which may be found in raw or undercooked foods, especially eggs, poultry, fruit and vegetables. A major cause of food poisoning that results in fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Salmonella infections range in severity and sometimes require hospitalization.
Shigella: Bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness including fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Staphylococcus: Bacteria commonly found on skin that can cause wound infections, boils and other serious infections.
Streptococcus: Disease-causing bacteria that can lead to skin infections, sore throat and other serious infections.