What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?

What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?

• A. Sterilization kills all forms of microbial life on an item; disinfection reduces the number of pathogens to safe levels but may not eliminate all microbes.
• B. Sterilization reduces pathogens to safe levels; disinfection kills all forms of microbial life.
• C. Sterilization only targets viruses; disinfection only targets bacteria.
• D. Sterilization and disinfection are the same.

Answer: (D)