What term means the prevention of infection by removing or killing pathogens?

• A. Sterilization
• B. Disinfection
• C. Asepsis
• D. Vaccination

Answer: (C)

Asepsis is the term for preventing infection by removing or killing pathogens. It means keeping environments and wounds free from disease-causing organisms, using sterile techniques, hand hygiene, and antiseptics to prevent microbes from entering sterile areas of the body. This directly targets the aim of stopping infection by ensuring pathogens aren’t introduced in the first place. Sterilization aims to destroy all microorganisms on objects, including spores, which is broader than what asepsis requires. Disinfection lowers the number of pathogens on surfaces but may not eliminate all, and doesn’t guarantee sterile conditions. Vaccination builds immunity in a person to prevent infection, rather than removing pathogens from the environment.