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Wouldn't this provide some evidence for the theory that going into the rain would make you more susceptible to get sick? The range might be limited to close qua
by colept 12y ago
Wouldn't this provide some evidence for the theory that going into the rain would make you more susceptible to get sick? The range might be limited to close quarters but what about the residual germs and/or viruses that might remain and be aerated again by other raindrops?
It would amaze me to see the aerated particles over time to see if they can be aerated again.
- dj-wonk 12y agoYour logic makes sense. Two things. 1. In my experience, stories about rain being associated with getting sick, tend to be more related to being cold and wet. We could go on for hours about "folk science" about how cold weather causes sickness. Cold weather is rightly correlated with flu season, reduced levels of vitamin D, and diminished physical activity, all of which probably have strong links to sickness. 2. Your choice of baseline comparison is probably key here. Is going out in the rain "safer" than staying indoors? Staying indoors in a poorly ventilated office building? From what I can tell, general wisdom today seems to be: unless your immune system is compromised, or you have strong allergic reactions (such as hay-fever), or you live in polluted area, or it is a high ozone day, it is a good to get some exposure to outside air, including the natural germs floating around in it. (Gosh, when I started writing that sentence, I didn't realize how many caveats I would need!)
- peeters 12y agoFrom the video: > This research may help explain how rainfall may spread diseases such as E. coli through the environment, and even to humans.