Researchers Explain Why Flu Comes In the Winter

First time accepted submitter ggrocca writes "Using human mucus as a testbed for how well influenza virus thrives in different humidity conditions, researchers at Virginia Tech found that the virus survived best if humidity is below 50%, a typical indoor situation during the winter in temperate climates due to artificial heating. The virus begins to find itself at home again only when humidity reaches almost 100%. Unsurprisingly, the latter finding explains flu spikes during rainy season in tropical climates. Full paper on PLOS ONE."

Re:something doesnt add up

[raymorris]

The virus is like a noodle - kept dry, it lasts a long time. Thoroughly wet, it does it's thing. Slightly moist, it goes bad.