Ventilation Takes the Lead in Breakthrough Flu Transmission Study

A hotel-based, two-group clinical trial exposed healthy volunteers to roommates with influenza to study real-world transmission. Despite close contact and shared items, none of the healthy participants became ill, suggesting that coughing and air movement play larger roles in spreading flu than proximity alone. The study found that rapid air mixing and ventilation dilutes airborne virus, while coughing elevates exposure. Age may also influence susceptibility. Practical implications include using portable air purifiers and wearing N95 masks when near coughing individuals; researchers aim to quantify transmission under various conditions in future work.