Changing Seasons and How Humidifiers Can Help

The weather is changing; and when the temperatures start dropping, the number of people with the cold and flu start rising. While there is no cure for the common cold or flu viruses, there are effective preventive measures your family can take, and one of those measures is using a humidifier!

In a March 2020 article, Yale researchers stated that dry air makes it easier for airborne cold, flu, and coronavirus particles to travel. When relative humidity – or RH – is higher, these particles retain moisture, so they are heavier and fall out of the air. So, keeping your air more humid means fewer virus particles floating around, which means you’re less likely to breathe them in later.

“Keep humidity levels in your home between 40 and 60 percent,” says notable New York City-based physician Dr. Keri Peterson. “This can help reduce the survival of flu viruses on surfaces and in the air.”

PRO TIP: Flu germs can live up to eight hours on hard surfaces; that includes the security trays at the airport and everything in your hotel room. Take a small humidifier along to be your personal flu fighter when you travel.

Healthy indoor humidity also helps our cilia, those microscopic hair-like projections on our cells, remove viral particles from our airways. In a review published online in March 2020, Yale immunobiologist Akiko Iwasaki said studies showed that mice kept in 50%RH were able to expel an inhaled virus, and showed better immune responses.

“Studies have shown there is a sweet spot in relative humidity,” Dr. Iwasaki said in a statement on 40to60rh.com. “Air of between 40% and 60% [relative humidity] shows substantially less ability to transmit viruses and allows our nose and throat to maintain robust immune responses against them.”

The changing seasons usually mean an increase in allergies, too. Healthy humidity levels can help relieve allergy symptoms by keeping your sinuses and throat moistened which helps you breathe better. This can also be helpful with cough and congestion that accompanies the cold and flu bugs.

One of the best ways to fight off cold and flu germs is with proper humidity levels. And the best – and easiest way – to keep your humidity at a healthy level is with a humidifier. Need help picking the best model for your home? Our humidifier experts are here to help. Just give them a call at 800-547-3888.