Antibacterial means designed to kill bacteria or stop them from growing. Bacteria are tiny living organisms, so small you need a microscope to see them, and while many bacteria are harmless or even helpful, some cause infections and illness. Antibacterial soap, for instance, contains special chemicals that destroy harmful bacteria on your hands. Antibacterial medicine fights bacteria inside your body when you're sick.

You'll find antibacterial products everywhere: hand sanitizers, kitchen cleaners, and even some cutting boards. Doctors prescribe antibacterial medications, called antibiotics, to treat infections like strep throat or ear infections.

It's worth knowing that antibacterial products don't work against viruses, which cause colds and flu. That's why antibacterial soap can't prevent you from catching a cold, though it still helps remove germs through simple washing. Also, scientists have learned that using antibacterial products everywhere isn't always necessary. Regular soap and water work well for everyday handwashing, and overusing antibacterial chemicals can sometimes create problems by killing helpful bacteria or helping some bacteria become harder to kill.