fomites etymology

Etymology

The word "fomites" comes from the Latin word "fomes," which means "tinder" or "kindling."

Meaning

Fomites are objects or substances that can carry and transmit infectious microorganisms from one person to another. They can be both animate (e.g., animals, insects) and inanimate (e.g., surfaces, objects).

Origin

The term "fomites" was first used in the medical context in 1855 by the German epidemiologist Max von Pettenkofer. He proposed that the spread of diseases such as typhoid fever and cholera could be attributed to the transmission of infectious agents through contaminated objects.

Pettenkofer's theory was supported by subsequent research, which demonstrated that various pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, could survive on surfaces and objects for extended periods. This led to the recognition of fomites as important factors in the transmission of infectious diseases.

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