An inanimate object that can transmit or harbor bacteria is referred to as a?

An inanimate object that can transmit or harbor bacteria is referred to as a fomite. Fomites can include various surfaces and materials, such as doorknobs, medical instruments, linens, and other objects that may become contaminated with pathogens. When a person touches a fomite, they may subsequently transmit the bacteria to their hands and then to their mouth, nose, or other mucosal surfaces, leading to infection.

In contrast to fomites, a vector typically refers to an living organism, usually an arthropod, that carries and transmits infectious pathogens between hosts, such as mosquitoes or ticks. A reservoir is a natural habitat where pathogens live, grow, and multiply, which could be in humans, animals, or environmental sources but does not pertain specifically to inanimate objects. A carrier is usually a living organism that harbors a specific infectious agent without necessarily displaying symptoms, thereby contributing to the spread of the disease. Understanding these definitions helps clarify the role that fomites play in the transmission of infections.