What term describes being free from infection?

The term that describes being free from infection is asepsis. Asepsis refers to the methods used to prevent the introduction of pathogens into sterile environments, which is crucial in medical settings to ensure that no infections are present. This concept is foundational in various healthcare practices, including surgical procedures, where maintaining a sterile environment is necessary to prevent postoperative infections.

In contrast, antisepsis involves the application of antiseptics to living tissue to eliminate or inhibit the growth of pathogens, but it does not guarantee total freedom from infection. Infection itself refers to the invasion of the body by harmful microorganisms, and germicidal refers to agents that can kill germs but doesn’t specifically imply an absence of infection. Asepsis, therefore, directly addresses the condition of being free from infection, making it the correct choice.