What do we call an inanimate object on which an infectious pathogen clings?

The term for an inanimate object on which an infectious pathogen can cling is known as a fomite. These non-living objects can include surfaces, utensils, and equipment that can harbor pathogens and facilitate their transmission. When a person comes into contact with a fomite, they can potentially acquire an infection if they then touch their face or mucous membranes.

Understanding the concept of fomites is crucial in public health and infection control, as it highlights the importance of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This contrasts with other terms such as vectors, which are living organisms that transmit pathogens (like mosquitoes), carriers, which are living hosts that can spread an infectious agent without showing symptoms, and reservoirs, which are habitats where pathogens live and multiply, often involving living organisms or environmental conditions conducive to the pathogen’s survival.