Children are less likely than adults to spread infectious particles. This conclusion was reached in their work by scientists from the Max Planck University of Dynamics and Self-Organization in Germany. published In the Journal of Aerosol Science.
Infectious diseases are usually transmitted through particles that people breathe. They are called aerosols and often vary greatly in size depending on the origin. Particles smaller than five microns, that is, five thousandths of a millimeter, are formed mainly in the lungs. Larger particles are formed in the upper respiratory tract.
Researchers collected data from 132 healthy volunteers, including children aged 5 to 18 years. Participants sang, shouted and talked for 20 minutes in a clean room. Currently, scientists have measured the aerosols that people inhale.
“We found that the concentration of fine particles smaller than five microns increases with age and is particularly low in children. As a result, adults are much more likely to spread if the infection is only in the lower respiratory tract,” the scientists explained.
Experts say the tiny droplets pose no threat to humans, but larger aerosols could potentially contain viruses and bacteria. That is why scientists believe that the main carriers of infectious diseases are adults, not children.
Source: Gazeta
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