For those interested we have provided a compilation of the most common terms used. 

An antimicrobial is an agent that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms and includes, among others, antibacterials, antimycobacterial drugs, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasital drugs.

Antivirals are drugs used specifically for treating viral infections e.g. herpes infections, HIV. They are not effective against  bacterial infections.

Bacteria constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms (unicellular organism without a nucleus). Human flora contains ten times more bacterial cells as there are human cells in the body, with the largest number being in the gut flora and on the skin.

Bacteria constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms (unicellular organism without a nucleus). Human flora contains ten times more bacterial cells as there are human cells in the body, with the largest number being in the gut flora and on the skin.

Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood stream. Blood is normally a sterile environment, so the detection of bacteria in the blood is always abnormal.

A substance that kills bacteria is bactericidal, e.g. disinfectants, antiseptics, or antibiotics.

A biological or chemical agent that stops bacteria from reproducing while not necessarily killing them is bacteriostatic.

β-lactam antibiotics are a broad class of antibiotics, containing a β-lactam ring in their molecular structure, including penicillin derivatives, cephalosporins, monobactams, and carbapenems. β-lactam antibiotics work by inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis in the bacterial organism and are the most widely used group of antibiotics.

A biofilm is any group of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other and adhere to a surface. Biofilms may form on living or non-living surfaces and can be prevalent in natural, industrial and hospital settings. A grouping of bacterial cells that forms a film on a surface will provide extra protection against antibiotics.