Chapter 1
Meet the microscopic hijackers
Chapter 2
Why winter is virus prime time
Chapter 3
Your body's brilliant defenses
Chapter 4
The shape-shifters and the missing cure
YOUR GOAL
Master of Inside the microscopic battle for your nose
Ch 2 · Why winter is virus prime time
doctorx Winter Virus Transmission
Cold coat of armor, cold coat of armor, Winter turns its shell to protective gel!
doctorx Breathing cold air constricts nasal blood vessels to conserve heat, reducing the blood flow that delivers vital white
Fun Fact
Winter virus armor: The influenza virus develops a rubbery outer coating in cold weather that melts only after entering the warm respiratory tract.
Glossary
humidity (noun)
The concentration of water vapor present in the air. In 2007, researchers demonstrated that low ambient humidity significantly increases the transmission of airborne influenza.
The concentration of water vapor present in the air. In 2007, researchers demonstrated that low ambient humidity significantly increases the transmission of airborne influenza.
Quiz
What percentage of their time do people in modern societies spend indoors during cold winter months?
Quiz
Why do cold temperatures slow down our nasal immune response when we step outside?
Quiz
At what temperature does the protective outer coating of the influenza virus finally melt to allow infection?
Quiz
How does dry winter air affect the protective mucus lining inside human nasal passages?
Quiz
What physical structure in the nose, resembling tiny hairs, slows down in cold temperatures, failing to sweep out viruses?
Quiz
What happens to the outer lipid membrane of the influenza virus in cold winter temperatures?