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Both terms are related to the disinfection and elimination of microorganisms, but they present different approaches. The basic difference between Asepsis and antisepsis is that Antisepsis is the process that allows us to eliminate the microorganisms that accumulate on a living being.

Asepsis is the procedure that allows eliminating microorganisms that contaminate objects and inanimate surfaces. They are applied in laboratories, food industries, hospitals, and places that must be free of pathogenic microorganisms that cause infections and represent a risk to health.

Difference between Asepsis and Antisepsis in tabular form

	Antisepsis	Asepsis
Definition	In medicine, it is defined as the destruction of microorganisms that live on living beings. It is a method that seeks to prevent infectious diseases by destroying the microorganisms that cause them. Its objective is disinfection.	In medicine, it is defined as the destruction of microorganisms found on surfaces and inanimate objects. It is also defined as the absence of septic matter, to a state free of infectious agents. Its goal is sterilization.
Agents used	Antiseptics, soaps, and detergents.	Disinfectants and sterilization processes.
Utility	It allows preventing infections of wounds caused by microorganisms.	Eliminate contamination caused by harmful microorganisms.
Examples	Washing the mouth before performing a dental procedure. Cleaning the skin in the area where the surgery will be performed with an iodinated compound.	Sterilization of surgical material. The use of the autoclave to sterilize tools and instruments.

Asepsis Definition

It is a medical term used to define the methods and procedures designed to preserve the sterility of a place and prevent its contamination by infectious or pathogenic agents.

The term gets its concept from  “a”  which means  “without”  and  “sepsis”  which is equal to  “microbes or microorganisms”.

Asepsis includes the presentation and correct use of sterile clothing, materials and equipment, instruments, and others without contaminating them.

Its objective is the sterilization of inanimate or non-living surfaces and objects that will come into contact with a patient or a user. It seeks to prevent contamination with pathogenic organisms and for this, specific disinfectants are used for each surface and systems such as the autoclave, for the disinfection of instruments and different tools.

Antisepsis Definition

It is the process by which chemical substances or drugs, called antiseptics, are used in order to prevent the growth of bacteria and pathogenic organisms, destroy them or reduce their concentration on the skin, mucous membranes, and tissues.

It is composed of processes that prevent sepsis or the presence of organisms that can cause infections or putrefaction of living tissues. They reduce the risk of infection before any surgery or surgical technique.

Some commonly used antiseptics are iodines to oxidize and break down the cells of microorganisms; alcohols to kill Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, some fungi, and viruses; and chlorhexidine to kill Gram-positive bacteria and some fungi.

To disinfect some fabric with them you must use gloves, a hat, and a mask.

The term comes from Greek sepsis which means “putrefaction” and the prefix anti which means “against”. Antisepsis then means “against putrefaction.”

• Asepsis is the absence of septic microorganisms, a state completely free of infectious agents. This is accomplished by sterilizing a site.
• Antisepsis is a method whose purpose is to combat and prevent the suffering of infections by eliminating the microorganisms that cause them. It is achieved by disinfecting a place.
• In medicine, asepsis corresponds to the physical or chemical procedures performed to prevent infectious agents from entering the human body. These processes are carried out on surgical material.
• Antisepsis is the procedure that destroys pathogenic microorganisms found on living tissue.