Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
fomites
Noun
/ˈfoʊ.maɪts/
Definition
Fomites are inanimate objects or surfaces that can carry infectious agents and transmit diseases when they come into contact with a person.
Examples
- Door handles can be considered fomites since many people touch them daily.
- Public transportation seats are potential fomites, spreading germs from one passenger to another.
- Shared toys in play areas often serve as fomites, transferring illnesses among children.
Meaning
The term refers specifically to non-living objects that can harbor pathogens that can be transferred to living organisms, often leading to disease.
Synonyms
- Contaminated surfaces
- Infectious objects
- Germ carriers
