Antimicrobials are substances that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, and examples span medicines, natural products, and disinfectants. Major categories include antibiotics which kill bacteria, such as penicillin, amoxicillin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline. Antivirals which fight viruses include oseltamivir for flu, acyclovir for herpes, and antiretrovirals for HIV. Antifungals for fungal infections include fluconazole, nystatin, and clotrimazole. Antiparasitics include metronidazole and ivermectin. In everyday life, antimicrobial examples include disinfectants like bleach, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and quaternary ammonium compounds used to clean surfaces. Natural antimicrobials include honey which has hydrogen peroxide activity, garlic which contains allicin, tea tree oil, oregano oil, and colloidal silver, though these are weaker and not replacements for medical treatment. In hospitals, antimicrobial surfaces like copper and silver coatings are used to reduce germ transmission. Hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol are antimicrobial for skin. HEPA filtered negative air machines and air purifiers do not kill microbes but remove them from air. The key distinction is that medical antimicrobials are regulated and dosed to kill infections inside the body safely, while many natural and surface antimicrobials are for external use and have limited evidence for treating internal infections.
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