What does disinfection do?

• A. Kills all microbes including spores
• B. Kills some microbes but not spores
• C. Neutralizes odors
• D. Inactivates viruses only

Answer: (B)

Disinfection is about reducing the number of viable microorganisms on inanimate surfaces so they’re unlikely to cause infection. It’s effective against many bacteria, fungi, and some viruses, but it’s not designed to kill every possible microorganism, especially the highly resistant spores. That’s why disinfection isn’t the same as sterilization, which aims to destroy all microorganisms, including spores. Neutralizing odors isn’t the function of disinfection, and disinfection isn’t limited to inactivating viruses only, though viruses can be among the pathogens affected. So the statement that disinfection kills some microbes but not spores best reflects what disinfection accomplishes.