Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Chemical Actions and Uses > Pharmacologic Actions > Therapeutic Uses > Anti-Infective Agents Terms and Definitions

Anti-Infective Agents

Medical Definition:	Substances that prevent infectious agents or organisms from spreading or kill infectious agents in order to prevent the spread of infection.
Guide Notes:	GEN or unspecified; prefer specific groups or specific anti-infective agent
Also Called:	Microbicides

Anti-Infective Agents Categories.

	Anti-Bacterial Agents - Substances that reduce the growth or reproduction of BACTERIA.
	Anti-Infective Agents, Local - Substances used on humans and other animals that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity. They are distinguished from DISINFECTANTS, which are used on inanimate objects.
	Antifungal Agents - Substances that destroy fungi by suppressing their ability to grow or reproduce. They differ from FUNGICIDES, INDUSTRIAL because they defend against fungi present in human or animal tissues.
	Antiparasitic Agents - Drugs used to treat or prevent parasitic infections.
	Antiviral Agents - Agents used in the prophylaxis or therapy of virus diseases. Some of the ways they may act include preventing viral replication by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase; binding to specific cell-surface receptors and inhibiting viral penetration or uncoating; inhibiting viral protein synthesis; or blocking late stages of virus assembly.
	Disinfectants - Substances used on inanimate objects that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity. Disinfectants are classed as complete, destroying spores as well as vegetative forms of microorganisms, or incomplete, destroying only vegetative forms of the organisms. They are distinguished from antiseptics, which are local anti-infective agents used on humans and other animals. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)

Anti-Infective Agents Medical Definitions and Terms

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