What are fomites? Inanimate objects that form a secondary route of exposure for
person-to-person transmissions. Any object that we may come in contact with can
serve as fomites, doorknobs, elevator buttons, hand rails, phones, cab doors,
keyboards, toys, even clothing.
Respiratory droplets are propelled into the air
by sneezing and coughing. The aerosol generated by coughing and sneezing
contain droplets of moisture of varying sizes laden with pathogens. The largest
droplets are more likely to fall to the floor. Medium sized ones are more
likely to enter the nasal passages of someone nearby, causing infection. The moisture
in the smallest particles tends to evaporate rapidly, resulting in the
formation of so-called droplet nuclei, which are light and can remain airborne
for longer periods. These can travel from room to room or through ventilation
ducts; owing to their small size and weight, their movement is mostly dictated
by air currents, and, if inhaled, they can flow with inhaled air far down the
respiratory tract, reaching the alveoli. Respiratory droplets can also
contaminate inanimate objects (fomites) via coughing or sneezing or by
transform from hands contaminated with a sneeze or cough. Ergo, one can become
infected by touching a person or inanimate object that is contaminated and then
rubbing one's eyes or allowing the infectious particles to enter the nose or
mouth.
Needless
to say, hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of
infections.
There is no rule per-se when to wash your
hands, however WHO recommends the following instances with priority:
After
coughing and sneezing
Tending the
sick
Before,
during and after food preparation
After toilet
use
Hands visibly
dirty
After
handling animals/ animal waste
Alcohol rapidly inhibits the infectious activities of microbial
agents present on the skin surfaces as soon as it comes in
contact with them. The alcohol directly attacks the cell wall of the
micro-organisms, ruptures it completely before charging into membrane wall and
nuclei. Since alcohol’s boiling point is low, the heat generated due to rubbing
off hands evaporates particles, taking germs with them. Independent of water and towel, it provides a
reliable prolonged antimicrobial effect. Not only does it give great feel but
also enhances skin hydration.
“As the
COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, comparisons have been drawn to
influenza. Firstly, COVID-19 and influenza viruses have a similar disease
presentation. That is, they both cause respiratory disease, which presents as a
wide range of illness from asymptomatic or mild through to severe disease and
death. Secondly, both viruses are transmitted by contact, droplets and fomites.
As a result, the same public health measures, such as hand hygiene and good
respiratory etiquette (coughing into your elbow or into a tissue and
immediately disposing of the tissue), are important actions all can take to
prevent infection.”, World Health Organization