Dec 17, 2007 7:50 am US/Eastern
Health Watch: Why Does The Flu Strike In Winter?
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Researchers believe they can explain why winter is flu season.
CBS
Researchers say they now have the answer to why people get the flu in winter.
"We found that low temperature and low humidity actually makes the virus be transmitted much more effectively," said Dr. Peter Palese from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.
When a person with the flu coughs or sneeezes, they put millions of tiny droplest into the air. Seems that cold, dry air helps these virus filled aerosols stay airborne longer, and also stabilizes the virus, both of which mean other people are more likely to get exposed and infected.
"I think our grandmothers were right when they told us you have to avoid the cold, not go outside and bundle up," Dr. Palese said.
Cold, dry air also thickens the mucus in the airways, which helps the virus multiply. Dried out airways may also make it easier for inhaled flu virus to penetrate and infect lung tissues.
It all makes sense to Dr. Caroline Leclair. She sees five to ten sick patients a day at the height of flu season.
"Usually they feel pretty sick, don't want to get out of bed. Body aches, feeling pretty ill," said Dr. LeClair from the William Family Medical Center
Justice Appiah never heard of the flu until he moved to the U.S. from Africa. He works outside at the airport and his supervisor recommended he get a flu shot.
"I used to clean the planes, so always I am outside, exposed to the weather. So I need to take the flu shot," Appiah said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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