• Here’s a surprising fact about Swine Flu: It’s less contagious in HUMID climates! We’re used to hearing that warm, wet environments are perfect breeding grounds for germs, but according to new research from Oregon State University, humidity has the opposite effect on flu viruses. They actually survive longer when there’s less water in the air. That helps explain why Swine Flu’s especially deadly in Mexico right now, where people are enduring one of the worst droughts on record! It also explains why more people get sick with the flu during the cold, dry months of winter – when absolute humidity is at its lowest.
• Think you can avoid Swine Flu by simply wearing a surgeon’s mask? Know THIS: A new study commissioned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that wearing a mask can cut your risk of contracting a respiratory illness – like Swine Flu – by as much as 80%! That’s because masks prevent you from inhaling virus-laden droplets that might be spread when a sick person coughs or sneezes directly in your face. Know this: You actually have a much higher risk of getting sick by touching something that’s infected – like a phone, computer mouse or a doorknob. That’s because flu germs can survive on your fingertips for many hours, and then enter your body when you wipe your eyes, nose or mouth with your hand. So, the most effective way to ward off Swine Flu is not to wear a mask, but to wash your hands as often as possible with soap and hot water.
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