Where did I contact that infection you may ask yourself? Well…..the answer is often fomites. You probably have not heard this term before, but fomites is just the technical term for objects that harbor infectious germs and when touched, transmit infection.
Many infections do not come from shaking a persons hand or a quick peck on the cheek, but rather when you touch object that has been touched by an infected person. A doorknob, grocery cart, a piece of cloth….any of these objects can harbor an infectious germ that remains dormant on it’s surface, which is then transmitted to your hand or body, touched by yourself causally and then introduced to your body when you rub your eye, nose, or move your hand to your mouth when you eat.
Not all germs are capable of being transmitted by fomites. HIV, for instance, is not readily transferred as it is a fastidious virus. Sexually transmitted diseases are similarly not generally transmitted by fomites, to despite your claim that you ‘got it from the toilet seat’ that is almost universally untrue.
How do we protect ourselves from fomites? Wash our hands! This simple measure will cleanse yourself from germs that have transferred to your body….so remember to focus on hand washing regularly. NO need to be a Howard Hughes compulsive, but just be a regular handwasher.