Showing results for "fomites"

• plural of fomes.

fomites

American  

[fom-i-teez, foh-mi-] / ˈfɒm ɪˌtiz, ˈfoʊ mɪ- /

plural noun

• fomes,
  singular
• fomite
  singular

1. Pathology. surfaces, as clothing or door handles, that can become contaminated with pathogens when touched by the carrier of an infection, and can then transmit the pathogens to those who next touch the surfaces.

   Doorknobs are often cited as the classic fomites, although there’s nothing unusual about spreading disease via such fomites as toys, towels, elevator buttons, light switches, and remote controls.

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Usage

What are fomites? Fomites are surfaces that can become contaminated by infectious pathogens. By touching fomites, you can pick up those pathogens. Many diseases are caused by such organisms as bacteria and viruses, collectively called pathogens. A pathogen is considered to be infectious if it can spread from person to person through contamination. Surfaces, such as countertops or door handles, that can become contaminated by infectious pathogens are called fomites. Let’s say you become infected with the flu, that is, influenza. Once you’re sick with the flu, your fluids, such as mucus and sweat, contain copies of the flu virus. You know you need to cover your mouth when you cough to prevent your saliva from spraying on to people near you. So you cover your mouth with your hands when you cough. Now, however, your hands are covered in saliva and mucus and they contain the virus. If you touch a surface, like a doorknob or a keyboard, the pathogens on your hands will also contaminate the surface you touch. It becomes a fomes (the singular form of fomites). If your mom then touches the fomes, the virus will now be on her hand too. All your mom has to do now is touch her mouth, ear, or face and the virus will be able to enter her body and infect her with influenza as well. Multiple people can become infected by one virus by touching the same fomites. This is why washing your hands is so important. The soaps and other cleansing products we use to wash our hands can kill or remove pathogens before they are able to spread via fomites.

Etymology

Origin of fomites

First recorded in 1800–05; from Latin fōmitēs, plural of fōmes; see fomes ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fomites fomes fomite

In emails, Mid-Michigan health officials hypothesized that the cats acquired the virus from droplets, known as fomites, on their owners’ hands or clothing.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2024

So-called fomites, particles that trap virus, might also move between farms on equipment or clothing.

From Science Magazine ● Apr. 25, 2024

Rasmussen said epidemiologists can have a difficult time finding real-word evidence of a virus’s transmission via contaminated objects or surfaces, which are called fomites.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 22, 2020

Overall, the researchers stated that the data suggests aerosolized fomites may contribute to transmission of viruses like influenza in animal models, which could have important but understudied implications for public health in humans.

From Fox News ● Aug. 20, 2020

Then the theory of "fomites" arose, and underwent investigation.

From How to Study and Teaching How to Study by Frank M. (Frank Morton) McMurry

Lastly, others say that, in her first sanctification, the fomes remained essentially, but was fettered; and that, when she conceived the Son of God, it was entirely taken away.

From Summa Theologica, Part III (Tertia Pars) From the Complete American Edition by Saint Aquinas Thomas

Now as the fulness of grace and virtue in Christ excluded the fomes of sin, so the fulness of knowledge excluded ignorance, which is opposed to knowledge.

From Summa Theologica, Part III (Tertia Pars) From the Complete American Edition by Saint Aquinas Thomas

Therefore the fomes was not entirely removed from her.

From Summa Theologica, Part III (Tertia Pars) From the Complete American Edition by Saint Aquinas Thomas

Now lust implies inordinate concupiscence, not entirely subject to reason: and therefore, if the fomes were entirely taken away as to personal corruption, it could not remain as to the corruption of nature.

From Summa Theologica, Part III (Tertia Pars) From the Complete American Edition by Saint Aquinas Thomas

Z. 18 of 23rd July Suvla Bay Six of the horseboats from which the 18 pr. and mountain batteries will previously have been landed Transport fomes from Alexandria.

From Gallipoli Diary, Volume 2 by Sir Ian Hamilton

The authors add: "Regular surface infection is much more effective than regular handwashing for blocking norovirus transmission via fomite route in airports."

From Science Daily ● Dec. 5, 2024

Two things we all know about our phones: Charging them is a hassle, and their shiny surfaces are a perfect medium for fomite transmission.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2021

How did you feel when you learned that fomite transmission wasn’t a huge risk factor?

From Slate ● Nov. 30, 2020

It was very soon after I made that video that fomite transmission was determined to be not the primary mode of transmission.

From Slate ● Nov. 30, 2020

“It’s not at all uncommon to not have strong epidemiological evidence for fomite transmission,” she said, “but that doesn’t mean that fomite transmission doesn’t happen.”

From Washington Post ● Oct. 22, 2020