Which term describes a drug that kills bacteria?

Which term describes a drug that kills bacteria?

• A. Bacteriostatic
• B. Bactericidal
• C. Antiviral
• D. Immunomodulator

Answer: (B)

A drug that kills bacteria is described as bactericidal. This means it actively causes bacterial death, often by disrupting essential functions like cell wall synthesis or DNA replication. Bactericidal drugs take effect by reducing the bacterial population directly, which can be crucial in serious infections or when the patient’s immune system isn’t able to clear the organisms quickly. In contrast, bacteriostatic drugs only stop bacteria from growing or dividing, letting the immune system eventually eliminate the stalled organisms. Antiviral agents target viruses, not bacteria, and immunomodulators alter the immune response rather than directly killing microbes. So the term that fits a drug that kills bacteria is bactericidal.

A drug that kills bacteria is described as bactericidal. This means it actively causes bacterial death, often by disrupting essential functions like cell wall synthesis or DNA replication. Bactericidal drugs take effect by reducing the bacterial population directly, which can be crucial in serious infections or when the patient’s immune system isn’t able to clear the organisms quickly.

In contrast, bacteriostatic drugs only stop bacteria from growing or dividing, letting the immune system eventually eliminate the stalled organisms. Antiviral agents target viruses, not bacteria, and immunomodulators alter the immune response rather than directly killing microbes. So the term that fits a drug that kills bacteria is bactericidal.