Antimicrobial and antibacterial are terms often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings…
Antimicrobial is a broader term which includes substances that can kill or inhibit the growth of any type of microorganism, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.
Examples: Antibiotics, antifungal paints & coatings, antiviral drugs and antiparasitic medications.
Antibacterial is a narrower term, specifically refering to substances that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Examples: Antibacterial plastics, antibiotics, antibacterial soaps and disinfectants.
Antibacterial is essentially a subset of antimicrobial. All antibacterial substances are antimicrobial, but not all antimicrobial substances are antibacterial.
