Flu viruses can jump up to 2 meters away

If you know someone is getting the flu, it's best to keep it a little far away. The reason is because the particles carrying the flu virus spread around by coughing, sneezing, etc. are likely to spread up to nearly 2 meters away, according to a new study.

Scientists studied 94 hospital visits for flu-like symptoms during the 2010-2011 flu season. While the patient was in bed, the researchers collected air samples in the room. Thanks to the use of devices, each patient is located at a distance of 0.3 meters, 0.9 meters and 1.8 meters.

Results showed that infectious flu-carrying particles were present at all test sites.

'Health-care workers may be exposed to sufficient amounts of influenza virus to cause illness at a distance of more than 1.8 meters from patients', citing research reports published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. .

When coughing or sneezing, flu patients splash
seeds carry influenza viruses, capable of spreading as far as 2 meters.

We all know, flu spreads in the air, especially when the sick person coughs or sneezes. However, scientists did not know more detailed information about the spread of influenza, such as the number of flu viruses a patient can produce and spread in the air around him / her. me.

According to Dr. Werner Bischoff from Wake Forest School of Medicine in North Carolina, USA and a new head of research, it used to be said that flu spreads mainly through large particles or droplets in the air , move with short distances from 0.9 to 1.8 meters. However, new research shows that most influenza viruses reside in very small particles in the air. Smaller particles are capable of moving beyond large particles.

Because Mr. Bischoff and his colleagues do not consider distances exceeding 1.8 meters, they cannot say whether the flu virus can move further.

During treatment for flu patients, health care workers are recommended to wear masks when conducting routine activities and wearing a ventilator when performing procedures that may cause their patients.

Bischoff's team found that masks are not enough to protect health workers because they can still breathe in tiny particles of flu viruses. They also found that some people with the flu were 'more dangerous' than those in the same situation. In particular, up to 19% of 'flu' flu patients are 32 times more likely to carry influenza viruses than those with other flu illnesses.

Dr. Bischoff said more research is needed to explore the factors that help doctors identify people who "flush" such a dangerous flu virus, and thus help fight the spread of the disease.

Researchers believe that the best way to avoid influenza infection, whether or not you are in the health care sector, is to get a flu shot.