Physical Object
fomites Audio
fom·i·tes [ fom-i-teez, foh-mi-. ]
Subclass of:
Disease Reservoirs
Definitions related to fomites:
  • A fomite is a non-living entity that is capable of conveying exposure agent from one entity to another. A doorknob contaminated with a Norovirus is an example of a fomite. Anyone touching the doorknob would be exposed to the virus. The scoper of the role must be the exposure agent (e.g., pathogen).
    NCI Health Level 7 Vocabulary
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2018
  • Inanimate objects that carry pathogenic microorganisms and thus can serve as the source of infection. Microorganisms typically survive on fomites for minutes or hours. Common fomites include CLOTHING, tissue paper, hairbrushes, and COOKING AND EATING UTENSILS.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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