'Fomites'? From 'fomes'?

1. What is a fomite or fomes?
2. What are 3 examples of a fomite?
3. What are common fomites?
4. What bacteria is spread by fomites?
5. How are fomites spread?

What is a fomite or fomes?

A fomite refers to inanimate objects that can carry and spread disease and infectious agents. Fomites can also be called passive vectors. Image Credit: David Pereiras/Shutterstock.com.

What are 3 examples of a fomite?

Examples of fomites include contaminated vehicles, shovels, clothing, bowls/buckets, brushes, tack, and clippers.

What are common fomites?

For humans, common hospital fomites are skin cells, hair, clothing, and bedding. Fomites are associated particularly with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), as they are possible routes to pass pathogens between patients. Stethoscopes and neckties are common fomites associated with health care providers.

What bacteria is spread by fomites?

Potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Mycobacterium abscessus, deposit and remain viable on fomite surfaces in the built environment. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria deposit and remain on a wide variety of fomite surfaces (e.g., mobile phones, keyboards, and clothing), particularly in healthcare settings.

How are fomites spread?

Fomites become contaminated with virus by direct contact with body secretions or fluids, contact with soiled hands, contact with aerosolized virus (large droplet spread) generated via talking, sneezing, coughing, or vomiting, or contact with airborne virus that settles after disturbance of a contaminated fomite (i.e., ...