Dry Air Is To Blame For Flu Season In Winter
The dry air is to blame for the rapid spread of flu viruses in the winter months. This resulted in an American study by the Oregon State University. Reason: The drier the air, the longer the survival of influenza viruses and the more they multiply
For decades it was the science does not explain why in winter the number of flu cases so immense increase.
They had two assumptions:
First: In the winter months, people spend more time indoors, where it multiplies it with other people come in contact and are easier to infect.
Secondly: In the dark season missing the sunlight, which is our immune system weakens and the body more vulnerable to viruses makes.
These factors play only a minor role. How are infectious pathogens, according to the study depends on the absolute humidity. And since cold air can hold less moisture than warm, the water content of the air in the winter months, much lower than in summer.
“If the absolute humidity is low, prolonged the survival of the virus, and the transmission rates increase,” the experts write in the journal. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Why exactly dry air favors the pathogen, the researchers do not know. They believe, however, that some humidifiers in hospitals, schools or kindergartens can reduce the disease.
What you can do to keep moist air:
* Green and water up
* Wet towel on the heating set
Especially in the office can be extremely annoying dry air, because it is not only the health but also the concentration at risk.