Fomite is any inanimate object that, when contaminated with an infectious agent or agents, can transfer disease to a new host. Currently, the role of fomites in disease transfer is higher than ever in human history because of the indoor lifestyle and increase in the number of objects being handled frequently by more than one person, on a daily basis, for example, pens, mobile phones, computers, e.t.c. Attention to fomites as source of disease spread was focused during the recent covid pandemic.
It has been proved by various studies that pathogens for respiratory diseases, spread not only through droplet infection, but also through fomites, i.e. objects contaminated by the infecting germ. Some viruses like covid, can stay on surfaces of objects for three days or even longer. Apart from this, diarrheal diseases, boils, eye infections, can also spread via fomites.
How fomites spread infection can be understood in a very simple manner. X is sneezing, he wipes his nose, makes a call from his mobile using the same hand and then puts it on the table. The microbes present in nasal secretions are thus deposited on the phone. They can even multiply in number. Now Y, a neighbor walks in, picks up the phone to see some messages. Now after 2 days, Y also develops a severe cold. The source of the spread of infection here has been the cell phone. Development of disease depends on the load of microbes and the body's immunity. High burden of germs or low immunity of the body can make the person sick. To confirm the fact that the phone is a source of spreading infection, a swab taken from its surface can be examined microscopically and germs visualized. Fomites are also suspected to be involved, when a person develops some infection, for which no apparent source is found. Infection thus acquired, does not limit to one person, but can become a source of chain of infections, making many more individuals sick.
During covid time, emphasis was put on use of masks, keeping a distance of one meter between two individuals and frequent hand washing. Frequent hand washing by soap and water or a hand sanitizer, removes any microbes settled on hands, after touching any fomites. Liquid soap is a better choice, as compared to a soap cake, as germs can settle on the soap cake as well. It is equally important to clean common objects being used like pens, phones, if possible, to remove any contamination sticking on the surface. Pens can simply be cleaned by soap and water. Paper money is something, which cannot be cleaned by soap and water. Use of electronic payments is being encouraged in places across the world, which will minimize risk of spread of infection by paper notes. However if hands are cleaned frequently and kept dry, risk of spreading or acquiring infection through currency notes is minimized.
Use soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol to clean smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices. But check with product information, if it is water resistant. If not, use a felt cloth (the type used to clean spectacles) or tissues to clean it. This can be done once in a while. But while nursing a sick person or being in close contact with him, one needs to do it regularly. Like after handling a sick person, it is good to clean not only hands, but also pen, stick, eye glasses, e.t.c., whatever object has been touched by the patient or has directly or indirectly been contaminated by his body fluids.
Adopting such small measures definitely helps in minimizing spread of infection. Use of hand gloves is also recommended for preventing infection by fomites. If someone finds it inconvenient to use gloves while working, he should do frequent hand washing.
The writer is a specialist in internal medicine