The flu news keeps getting worse.
With the flu considered at epidemic proportions this season, we have a better idea of why. It turns out that just breathing other people’s air could get it into your system according to science. That means it’s an airborne virus and not just transmitted by coughing and sneezing.
Researchers at San Jose State University and UC Berkeley say you could catch the flu just by breathing the air of an infected person. The study was conducted during the 2012-13 flu season. It found keeping surfaces clean, washing your hands and avoiding people's coughs or sneezes may not be enough to avoid the virus.
According to researcher Sheryl Ehrman, influenza can be detected in a person's breath making it an airborne virus. Health experts recommend staying home and avoiding public places if you're sick with the flu. Don’t be surprised if workplaces soon enforce that.
Check out the CDC’s video map of the flu outbreak across the U.S. HERE.