Did you know there’s a relationship between your sore throat, dry air, and more symptoms of viruses? Spoiler: It’s a strong one but definitely not a good one!

Dry air is an unpleasant and unavoidable part of wintertime, caused by temperature drops and the sparsity of moisture in the air. Like high humidity in the summertime, low humidity and dry air in the winter can impact your home and health, too. With kids going back to school, parents returning to work, constant weather changes, and the looming flu season on our minds, there are so many important reasons to improve your home’s Indoor Air Quality. Read on to find out what you can do to protect your family from sore throat, dry air, and other symptoms of viruses you may encounter this season.

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What Makes Symptoms of Viruses a Winter Staple

Have a sore throat? Dry air is your culprit! Our bodies need moisture to lubricate our airways and when dry air is present, as a result of low humidity, we experience this nuisance and more unwanted symptoms of viruses. Studies show exposure to dry air also puts us at higher risk of getting sick due to high concentrations for airborne viruses in our home’s air.

Common Health Impacts of Dry Air You Might Confuse as Symptoms of Viruses

There are many commonalities between dry air symptoms and symptoms of viruses. They include:

• Bloody nose
• Dry mouth and eyes
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Cracked skin
• Higher risk of illness

 

While they may share some of the same impacts, here’s where things get dicey: Dry air actually increases our chances of catching viruses and feeling the effects of those unwanted symptoms of viruses.

How Do Viruses Spread?

Dry air makes virus-sized particles more likely to spread—which is why a home’s humidity level can strongly influence whether or not airborne viruses linger in our air. To help prevent the proliferation of viruses in your home—and reduce your chances of feeling those symptoms of viruses—it’s important to keep your immune system defenses up. Balanced humidity between 40–60%* can do just that!

Humidity control helps combat the harmful impacts of dry air, making your home a winter safe haven from symptoms of viruses all season long. With an AprilAire Whole-House Humidifier, you can reduce the transmission of viruses and minimize particle survival rates by combatting the dry air that might make you sick. Plus, adding that much-needed moisture back into your home’s air makes your environment feel warmer so you can spend less time, energy, and money heating your spaces.

Worry less about symptoms of viruses with help from AprilAire Healthy Air solutions. Contact your local AprilAire Healthy Air Professional to get started.

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*While balanced humidity exists between 40 and 60%, it’s important to remember that outdoor temperature and other home factors will impact what relative humidity level is attainable and recommended for your house. Talk with your AprilAire Healthy Air Professional to learn more.