For years scientists have believed that humidity helps to thwart the spread of the flu, but a new study says otherwise – at least for one strain.
Research led by the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech seems to have discovered a major flaw with old testing methods. In determining the impact of humidity on the flu, tests didn’t work under realistic conditions. The methods failed to factor in airway secretions. Those are the particles that get into the air after sneezing, coughing or even exhaling.
In the 2018 tests, teams used a specially-designed rotating metal drum. The new addition would suspend aerosols while keeping up a stable humidity level.