via Yale News – Yale University
Yale researchers have pinpointed a key reason why people are more likely to get sick and even die from flu during winter months: low humidity.
While experts know that cold temperatures and low humidity promote transmission of the flu virus, less is understood about the effect of decreased humidity on the immune system’s defenses against flu infection.
The Yale research team, led by Akiko Iwasaki, the Waldemar Von Zedtwitz Professor of Immunobiology, explored the question using mice genetically modified to resist viral infection as humans do. The mice were all housed in chambers at the same temperature, but with either low or normal humidity. They were then exposed to the influenza A virus.
The researchers found that low humidity hindered the immune response of the animals in three ways. It prevented cilia, which are hair-like structures in airways cells, from removing viral particles and mucus. It also reduced the ability of airway cells to repair damage caused by the virus in the lungs. The third mechanism involved interferons, or signaling proteins released by virus-infected cells to alert neighboring cells to the viral threat. In the low-humidity environment, this innate immune defense system failed.
The study offers insight into why the flu is more prevalent when the air is dry. “It’s well known that where humidity drops, a spike in flu incidence and mortality occurs. If our findings in mice hold up in humans, our study provides a possible mechanism underlying this seasonal nature of flu disease,” said Iwasaki.
While the researchers emphasized that humidity is not the only factor in flu outbreaks, it is an important one that should be considered during the winter season. Increasing water vapor in the air with humidifiers at home, school, work, and even hospital environments is a potential strategy to reduce flu symptoms and speed recovery, they said.
Learn more: Flu virus’ best friend: Low humidity
The Latest on: Flu
via Google News
The Latest on: Flu
- Dozens of ducks found dead around Lake Dot. Is it bird flu?on May 18, 2022 at 6:00 am
Environmentalists, along with Seminole County officials and nearby residents, would like to know what has killed dozens of ducks this month around a small lake tucked in a neighborhood near Sanford ...
- Is It COVID, Flu or RSV? New At-Home Test May Tellon May 18, 2022 at 5:53 am
"While the FDA has now authorized many COVID-19 tests without a prescription, this is the first test authorized for flu and RSV, along with COVID-19, where an individual can self- ...
- Bird Flu Outbreaks: When Will We Learn Our Lesson?on May 18, 2022 at 5:00 am
Experts say previous outbreaks should have taught us how to avoid new ones, like the one that’s killing millions of birds right now. Experts say previous outbreaks should have taught us how to avoid ...
- Labcorp Receives Emergency Use Authorization for First Non-Prescription At-Home Collection Kit for Combined COVID-19, Flu and RSV Detectionon May 18, 2022 at 3:39 am
Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a leading global life sciences company, today announced the receipt of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a combined at-home ...
- Flu in May? In Central Florida, cases are rising alongside COVID-19on May 18, 2022 at 3:06 am
Florida saw the lowest flu vaccination rate of any state for the three seasons from 2017 to 2020. (Impact Photography // Shutterstock) Have a cough, sore throat, runny nose? It could be COVID-19, but ...
- An additional 5 backyard producers infected with avian flu in Minnesota, bringing site total to 75on May 17, 2022 at 8:59 pm
There are 75 sites of confirmed H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza infection in Minnesota as of Tuesday, May 17, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.
- FDA greenlights nonprescription test for Covid, flu and RSVon May 17, 2022 at 3:03 pm
It's a question that's plagued Americans since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic: Do I have Covid or the flu? It may be easier to answer soon: On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized ...
- Conspiracy theorists claim bird flu outbreak is fake newson May 17, 2022 at 11:01 am
Brad Moline, a fourth-generation Iowa turkey farmer, saw this happen before. In 2015, a virulent avian flu outbreak nearly wiped out his flock.Barns once filled with chattering birds were suddenly ...
- Calls for mask-wearing as Victoria flu cases exceed past two seasons combinedon May 17, 2022 at 10:07 am
More than 5,000 flu infections across state so far this year, while 13,654 new Covid cases reported on Tuesday ...
- Is it COVID or flu? New at-home test can tell youon May 17, 2022 at 4:41 am
An at-home COVID-19 test that can also detect other common respiratory viruses like the flu was authorized for emergency use in the U.S. on Monday.
via Bing News